Rita Irene Fleming's Obituary
Big Rapids - Rita Irene Fleming, 97, of Big Rapids, passed peacefully from this life on June 23rd, 2018 to join her husband and soulmate in eternity on his birthday. Her passing leaves a void in the lives of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends who knew and loved her. But we are also left with warm memories of her wonderful dinners; comforting back rubs; conversations-sometimes earnest, sometimes light-hearted; and shared adventures, from a walk in the woods, to cross-country skiing, to trips to faraway places.
Rita entered this world at the home of her grandparents, Emmet and Mary Bliss, in Kalamazoo County on October 1st, 1920. She was the only child of Russell F. and Mabel (Bliss) Minar. She grew to adulthood on her parents' farm in Gun Plain Township, Allegan County. Rita attended South Pine Lake School through eighth grade. Young Rita liked all kinds of sports, played on a baseball team, and was a member of the Campfire Girls. She moved on to Plainwell High School and graduated in June of 1938. Rita began classes that fall at Western State Teachers College, now Western Michigan University, with the goal of becoming a teacher.
In the fall of 1939, Rita's college roommate introduced her to John R. Fleming, a new freshman at Western. The attraction was immediate, and Rita and John soon became a couple. Rita graduated from Western with a Bachelor of Science in June 1942. Rita's career as an elementary school teacher began that fall with her first assignment in Jackson (Michigan) Public Schools. Rita continued her teaching career while John was away in the Army. He returned home on leave and they were married on March 17th, 1945 at Rita's parents' home.
After John's discharge from the Army, John and Rita lived in Dearborn (Michigan) for a short time and then settled in Paw Paw. John and Rita's family grew to include two sons while Rita continued to teach in Paw Paw and Mattawan elementary schools. Rita was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Paw Paw. She and John enjoyed a wide circle of friends, their cabin on the Pine River, and traveling as a family in the summer-especially in the upper peninsula of Michigan and western U.S.
After twenty years in Paw Paw, John and Rita moved to Big Rapids in 1968. Rita taught at Riverview Elementary until her retirement. Her retirement years were filled with travel, grandchildren, family and friends. Rita and John enjoyed playing bridge and rotating dinners with their Paw Paw and Big Rapids friends. Rita was an active member of the United Church in Big Rapids, Ferris State University Emeriti Association, and along with John, a host for Elderhostel classes held at FSU. John and Rita were deeply committed to education. As a result, in 2007 they established the Grace L. Fleming RN Nursing Endowment at Ferris State University to assist nursing students achieve their academic and professional goals.
Rita is survived by her sons, John M. (Sue) Fleming of Douglas, and Gary G. Fleming of Big Rapids; grandchildren, Jennifer (Doc) Proctor of Big Rapids, Scott (Joy) Fleming of Memphis TN, Holly (Zack) Krebs of Big Rapids, Jay Fleming (Molly Beer) of Kalamazoo, and Kelly Fleming (George Wundsam) of Chicago IL; great-grandchildren Jason, Kallum, Noelle, Zoe, and Zephyr.
A private memorial will be held at a later date.
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