Rita Ann Kettler

Rita A. Kettler, 90, of New Albany, OH, passed away on March 31, 2025 after several years in memory care. She was born in Columbus, Ohio in May 1934 to Harry and Helen Stieber and grew up surrounded by dozens of aunts, uncles, and cousins from a large German family. Rita graduated from South High School in Columbus and attended the Ohio State University. In 1956, she married Ronald Kettler, who she first met in junior high school.

Rita held a variety of jobs including homemaker, keypunch operator, bank teller, executive assistant, and office secretary for Ohio state senators Karen Gillmor and Larry Mumper. Moving often due to Ronald's work, she made a nice home wherever the family landed in Pittsburgh, New City (NY), Lake Forest (IL), Brentwood (TN), and Concord (MA). In 1987, her daughter Bonnie died unexpectedly while away at college, followed soon by her parents.

In 1992 she was very happy to return home to Ohio (Gahanna) where she enjoyed visits from her beloved granddaughters, April and Kira; cared for Ronald during his long illnesses until his passing in 2014; and was an active member of Mifflin Presbyterian Church. Growing up an only child, Rita found two "sisters" in her in-laws, Pat Kettler and Shyla Lanthorn. She loved crafting, puzzles, reading mysteries, spoiling her granddaughters, and keeping in touch with her friends from high school and the places where she lived.

Rita is survived by her son Brian, daughter-in-law Jill, granddaughters April and Kira, in-laws Jack and Pat Kettler, and nieces and nephews Debra Newman, Cliff Lanthorn, David Lanthorn, Kristi Rickel, and Bill Kettler.

The family would like to thank the staff at Wesley Woods Memory Care and Wesley Hospice for their compassionate care of Rita.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Schoedinger Northeast Funeral Home, 1051 E Johnstown Road, Gahanna, OH 43230, on Friday, April 25, 2025, with visitation from 12pm-1pm and a memorial service immediately following at 1pm. Services will conclude with inurnment at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation, https://www.alzinfo.org/.