Rita A. (Schnurr) Ruckel, 94, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February

6, 2024, at her home. Her family surrounded her with love and comfort as

she made her transition to heaven.

Rita was born in Fort Wayne and was a member of Our Lady of Good

Hope Catholic Church.

Rita was a graduate of Central Catholic High School. She met her future

husband, Robert C. Ruckel, at Lincoln Bank in Fort Wayne. They were

married in 1949. They lived in Miami, Florida for a short time as

newlyweds and then spent the rest of their married life in Fort Wayne. Rita

was a busy wife and mother, raising five children. She enjoyed

volunteering at St. Anne's Nursing Home, Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic

Church, The Christ Child Society, and The Old Fort Settlers. Her hobbies

included gardening, bird watching, photography, baking delicious pies,

sewing, and quilting. She loved playing games, especially Mexican Train.

She held a variety of jobs through the years and was appreciated for being

hard-working and dependable.

Rita made friends wherever she went. She lived for many years in River

Bend Bluffs and created wonderful memories with her friends and

neighbors. When it was time to move to a new place, she embraced her

new home at Georgetowne Place. For two and a half years, she enjoyed

new friendships and taking advantage of all the activities Georgetowne

had to offer. Rita's family would especially like to acknowledge the

incredible Georgetowne staff, who create a family atmosphere for their

residents. A special thanks to Jama Rogers for all the support and love

she gave to Mom. We also want to express our gratitude to the Heartland

Hospice staff, who provided Mom with loving care.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband Robert Ruckel; parents

Joseph and Bessie Schnurr; sisters, Catherine McDonald, Dorine Fabian,

and Mary Ellen Hyndman, and brother Joseph Schnurr.

Rita's pride and joy was her family. Rita is survived by her children:

Connie (Jeff) Glassley, Julie (Michael) Ottenweller, Barbara (John)

Magsamen, Charles (Lori) Ruckel, and James (Krista) Ruckel. She has 14

grandchildren: Ryan (Jes) Ottenweller, David (Melissa) Ottenweller, Emily

(Tony) Rondot, Lauren (Tony) Didier, Jason (Katie) Glassley, Adam Glassley,

Matt (Morgan) Glassley, Whitney Ruckel, Hannah (Scott) Hartman, Shane

(Michelle) Ruckel, Ben (Kara) Magsamen, Abbi (Ryan) Heater, Luke (Sarah)

Magsamen, and Olivia Ruckel. Her large and beloved family also included

24 great-grandchildren. Her "Greats" are: Jackson, Emma, Tillie and

Simon Glassley, Matthew, Liam, and Nolan Ottenweller, Lucas, Claire and

Parks Ottenweller, James, Adam, and Willie Rondot, Maggie, Jack and

Gwen Didier, Crosley Hartman, Harper Ruckel, Kinley, Maverick and Beau

Magsamen, Laiken, Thompson, and Marlowe Heater. Three new babies

are joining the family this spring. Her nieces and nephews held a special

place in her heart: Carol, Patty, Jeanne, Mo, John, Rhonda, Sherry, Mike,

Kathy, Lisa and Tom. What a blessing family is!

Visitation will be held on Monday February 12, 2024 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and

6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Avenue, Fort

Wayne, Indiana. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Good Hope

Catholic Church 7215 St. Joe Rd. on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.

with calling one hour before. Burial will be in the Catholic Cemetery at a

later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Guide Dog

Foundation, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, St. Mary's Soup Kitchen, or

Heartland Hospice.

Donations

Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
371 East Main St. (Jericho Turnpike), Smithtown NY 11787
Tel: 1-631-930-9000
Web: http://www.guidedog.org

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-805-5856
Web: http://www.stjude.org/

St. Mary's Catholic CHurch
1101 Lafayette St., Fort Wayne IN 46802
Tel: 1-260-426-1217
Web: http://stmarysfw.org

Heartland Hospice of Fort Wayne
1315 Directors Row Ste 210, Fort Wayne IN 48008
Tel: 1-866-732-1757
Email: ftwayne@heartlandhospice.com
Web: https://heartlandhospice.com