Rita Kay Persicke, 51, of Coloma, Michigan, received her heavenly reward after a long and courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer on February 18, 2022 at Spectrum Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph, MI.  She was born on February 24, 1970 to her cherished adoptive parents in Livonia, Michigan.  She immediately brought joy and laughter into their world and completed their family of now 4 adopted children.

Rita went on to attend Concord High School and as an adult was a social butterfly.  She loved meeting new friends, going to the beach, attending her granddaughters ball games and of course any opportunity to watch her favorite Detroit Tigers.  In March 2012, Rita met her beloved Darren and the two were inseparable from that point on.   They were married on August 25, 2018 on their favorite pier in St. Joseph, Michigan among their friends and family.

After the loss of her dear mother in 2018 Rita met her maternal biological family as well.  They remain; Shannon (Hugh) Dixon of Plymouth, MI; half-sisters Jennifer (Colin) Rugg of Livonia, MI; and Heather Dixon of Plymouth, Michigan.

Rita loved and cared passionately and stood up for those loved ones in the face of any challenge with strength and perseverance.  Her husband Darren, sweet mother-in-law; Margaret, and granddaughter "May-May" shared a happy home that they created together and were her life, her pride and her joy.  Rita had two daughters, Elizabeth Ann Bender of Elkhart, IN and Whitney Eve Veatch of Niles, MI.  She is survived as well by 4 granddaughter's; Jaiya, Mayson, Samantha and Aspyn.

The hole left by her absence is impossible to fill.   Rita was predeceased by her precious mother and father; Thomas Eugene (2010) and Anna Jane Bender (2018), and a brother Brian (2022). She is also survived by siblings Roger Bender (Middlebury, IN); Renee' (Chet) Wilson (Crothersville, IN) and brother-in-law Dale (Karen) Persicke of Muskegon, MI, as well as many nieces and nephews - Aunt Rita was always the "fun aunt"!

It was Rita's choice that there be no formal services conducted.  She has chosen cremation and for her ashes to be spread by her loved ones in her favorite place in the world, the beach that brought her peace, serenity and love in St. Joseph, MI.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Rita's name to the American Cancer Society.