Rita Mary Brown, 97, died peacefully on July 11, 2024.

Rita was born on December 25, 1926, in St. Michael's Ridge to Frank and Clara (Minck) Lenhart. She was the 4th of 12 children.

Rita attended St. Michael's Parochial School and graduated from Richland Adams High School in 1944. Her early years were spent working alongside her sisters and brothers on the family farm. Small in stature, Rita nonetheless kept up with her older brothers showing a work ethic, determination, and persistence molding her character for her entire life.  Her family learned she could not be deterred from a goal until she achieved it.

Upon graduation, Rita enrolled at Defiance College and completed preparatory classes for a career in nursing. She was a member of Phi Gamma Gamma Sorority. In 1946, she was accepted to the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, Toledo. She graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1948 and most enjoyed working rounds as a surgical nurse. She was a member of the Army Corp of Nurses.

In 1946, she met the love of her life, Dr. H.C. (Rick) Brown on a bus trip from Defiance. With the bus already packed upon arrival in Defiance, Rick offered his seat to the beautiful brunette. Rita took the seat but would not respond to his attempts at conversation. As they arrived in Toledo, Rita finally told him her name and where she went to school. Shortly after, Rick hired a taxi to drive him from the University of Michigan Medical School to Toledo. He had his work cut out for him but ever persistent, Rick persevered, taking Rita to extraordinary Alpha Kappa Kappa fraternity parties dancing to Guy Lombardo, the most famous big bands of the day and attending Michigan football games.

On Christmas Eve of 1947, Rick proposed to Rita by the Lenhart Christmas tree. It was the day before her 22nd birthday. Rick was 26. They were married in a magnificent ceremony at St. Michaels Ridge Catholic Church on June 10, 1950 and were married 53 years before Rick's death.

The couple settled in Hamler, where they raised 4 children before moving to Defiance in 1975. In addition to raising a family, Rita was a nurse on staff at Leisure Oaks and Harborside nursing homes.

During her lifetime, Rita traveled extensively with her husband and particularly loved Paris. She was a woman of exquisite taste and was always beautifully dressed. She took great pride in her children and grandchildren's accomplishments. She was an avid gardener and student of the political stage,  engaging in a passionate debate with friends and family. Her Irish determination and energy was inspirational for all to see. She was a tiny woman filled with moxie and limitless energy until the end of her life.

Rita was predeceased by her husband Rick in 2004, her sisters, Elizabeth Schlembach, June Small, Nancy Ducatt, Suzanne McIntyre, and brothers, Dr. Francis Lenhart, Dr. Benedict Lenhart, and Richard Lenhart. She was also predeceased by her son-in-law William (Bill) Kraus, Jr.  and infant granddaughter Meagan Brown.

She is survived by her children, Rebecca Kay (William) Kraus, Ann Arbor, MI; Douglas Paul (Darla) Brown, Fairfield; Peggy Ann (Beau) Hahn, Oakwood; and Susan Marie (Jerome) Cole, Davie, Florida. She leaves behind grandchildren William (Bill) Kraus III; Douglas Brown, Jr.; Dr. Matthew Brown; Alyson Brown, Beau Hahn, Jr.; Chad Hahn; Nikki Lind, and Monique Cole. She was blessed to live to see 13 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters Patricia Folk, Peggy Bennett, Joan Elberson and Mary Williams.

Visitation will be at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance on Saturday, July 20th from 9AM-10:30AM, followed by an 11AM Mass at St. John's Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Riverview Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations for masses in Rita's memory are requested. Online condolences can be given at www.Schafferfh.com.