Obituary of Rita Gretchen Petsch

Rita G. Petsch entered eternal rest at the age of 88 on January 24, 2024.  She was the loving wife of the late Erich Petsch with whom she is now reunited.  She was born on September 7, 1935 in the Bronx, New York, daughter of the late Lothar and Katherine (Hanfland) Uhlemann.

She will be sadly missed by her children, Susan Petsch, Barbara Stern (Fred), Eric L. Petsch (Donna Mattingly); her grandchildren, Allen Fitzsimmons (Taylor), Eric F. Petsch (Lindsey), Dominique Laur (Robert), Andrew Stern (Emma Popowski), and Matthew Petsch; her great-grandchildren, Cameron and Brandon Fitzsimmons, Liam Petsch, and Reese Laur.

She always said any day she could see her family was a day worth living.  She cherished her grandchildren and was a constant in their everyday lives by taking time to be at their school plays, athletic games, birthdays and graduations.  She was their greatest cheerleader.

Rita loved her faith, music, art and cherished time with her family and friends.  She always had a smile on her face and easily made friends and expanded her “family” wherever she went.  She was a great cook and enjoyed making everyone’s favorites.  She was known for the social gatherings and events she hosted, making sure that all had a great time.  She loved to travel – whether it was motor homing across the U.S., cruising in the Bahamas, or traveling through Europe to visit family and explore new places – she found wonder in the beauty of the countryside and the people that she met.

Rita worked as a payroll coordinator for the Danbury Public Schools for over 25 years. She spent her later years living at Lakeview and then Glen Crest where she again grew her circle of friends and enjoyed her daily card games and other activities.  She loved listening to music by John Tench at dinner.  Her great caregiver, Cindy, added to her joy and kept her smiling brightly.

Rita’s legacy to her family is to “always be NICE – it doesn’t cost anything!”

Funeral Services will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church, in Danbury, on Friday, February 16^th at 10:00 AM.  Burial will follow at Prince of Peace Cemetery, Brookfield.

The family will receive friends at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury on Thursday, February 15^th between the hours of 5:00 and 7:00 PM.

Memorial Contributions in her memory may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church (memo-music fund)