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Philosophy of Life

Rita loved nature, and saw nature as a manifestation of the Divine.

Travel History and Stories

Rita and her husband Jim would often take joyous sightseeing day trips around northwestern Indiana and southwestern Michigan, often picnicking at a state or county park.

Pets

Dogs: Tabatha; Jasper and Tara; Rani and Trooper. Cats: Ty-ty, Loki and Blix; at the end, the cats Mama Kitty, Goldie, Dusty, Boots and Pippin. Except for Tabatha, all are rescued animals.

Hobbies

Rita loved crafting and exhibiting her crafts at arts and craft shows. She was also an excellent self-taught nature photographer.

Favorite Foods and Restaurants

Our first date was at the restaurant called Pumps on 12, a renovated yellow-brick gas station in the Town of Pines, filled with 1950s automotive memorabilia. It came to be our favorite restaurant. In the entrance if the restaurant was a framed photo from a magazine, listing "Celebrities' Favorite Restaurants". On that framed photo was an entry from Larry King (of CNN fame), listing his favorite restaurant as "Pumps on 12, Pines, Indiana").

Cherished Recipes

This is one of Rita's favorite "go-to" recipes for family dinners and potlucks. Her recipe box called it: "Aunt Jeanabelle's Noodle Kugel".
Ingredients
1/2 pound noodles, boiled and drained
1 stick margerine or butter
1 large cream cheese
4 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup milk
Topping:
Corn flake crumbs and Cinnamon Sugar
Grease a 9x3 cake pan. Boil and drain the noodles. While they are boiling, put the cream cheese, margerine, eggs, sugar and milk in a blender. Mix well. Put noodles in pan. Cover with cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle cornflake and cinnamon sugar mixture on top. Bake at 350 for 40 or 50 minutes.

Shared Memories

Jim Schwartz

I have so many, many memories of my time with Rita. Thousands of memories, some so small that many would wonder why I would consider these worthwhile memories. When hearing of this, the rabbi officiating at Rita's funeral mentioned that so many memories are like the tiny, individual jewels and gems in a necklace. Each piece could be considered miniscule, but, together, they consist as essential parts of a gorgeous necklace. For examples of a few of these memories: I clearly remember the westward ride Rita and I took one sunny morning on Porter County (Indiana) Road 1275 North, crossing over and admiring the serene Reynolds Creek. Or the many times that we were riding on Range Road, north of Toto in Starke County (Indiana), crossing the peaceful and historic Yellow River. Or the time we were riding on U.S. 20 by the ghost town of Tremont, Indiana... Rita noticed the road that was being built. I purposefully drive to these places, even today, to remember these memories. These are just a few of the memories that sustain me.

Jim Schwartz

Rita loved day trips. Favorite destinations were nearby state parks in Indiana (Indiana Dunes State Park; Potato Creek State Park; and Tippecanoe River State Park). She also enjoyed shopping trips to Toto, Indiana (Bailly's and Richards of Toto).

Jim Schwartz

Rita P. Schwartz (nee: Kohn), age 69, of Michigan City, IN passed away on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, after a long and valiant battle against a rare disease. She taught us all by her example how to handle adversity with grace, without anger or bitterness. She was born on July 31, 1951, in Michigan City to Robert and Diana (Herschman) Kohn.

Rita is survived by her loving husband and best friend, Jim Schwartz; sons, Eric and Jeremy Hanke; grandchildren, Jordan, Noah, Samantha, Elliott, Caitlyn, Robert, and David Hanke; great-grandson, Benjamin; mother, Diana Kohn; sisters, Caryl Kohn Henkes and Harriet (David Freedman) Kohn; special friends, Joy and Bernie and a host of loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by father, Robert Kohn, and beloved canine companion, Trooper.

Rita was a lover of animals and the outdoors. She especially enjoyed going on nature walks with Jim and their dogs and even took up nature photography in her spare time. She was also an avid crafter. Rita's family was most important to her, and she will be loved and missed by all who were lucky enough to have known her.

Private services for immediate family have been entrusted to Geisen-Carlisle Funeral Home, 613 Washington Street, Michigan City, IN 46360.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rita's memory to the Michiana Humane Society, 722 N Highway 212, Michigan City, IN 46360

Six trees have been planted in Israel in Rita's memory.

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Date of Birth
7/31/1951
Place of Birth
Michigan City, IN
US
Place of Residence
Michigan City, IN
US
Places Lived
Lifelong resident of Michigan City, Indiana.
Temple Affiliation
Sinai Temple, Michigan City, Indiana
Family Members
Jim Schwartz, husband; Eric and Jeremy Hanke, sons; Robert and Diana Kohn, parents; Harriet Kohn and Caryl Henkes, sisters.
Nicknames
"Retread" and "Dark Eyes".
Donations
Donations may be made in Rita's memory to the Michiana Humane Society, 722 Indiana Highway 212, Michigan City, IN 46360
This Memorial Created By
Jim Schwartz, husband