Mary Rita Robach (Schmidt), age 78 of Grand Rapids, passed away Wednesday, November 13, 2013 from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Val and Marcy Schmidt; brother, Bob Schmidt; sister, Judi and George Palmer; brothers-in-law, Lyle Robach and Don Lidgard. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Ken; children, Art and Paula Veneklase (Matt, Mark and Paul), Maureen and Rick Latimer (John), David and Tricia Robach (Kyle and Connor), John and Lisa Frey (Anna, Edward and Lillian), Tim and Teresa Royce (Kevin, Brian and Allie), Tom and Margaret Merkel (Luke, Lynne and Isaac), John and Kristine Robach (Baili and Max), John and Shawn Schuring (Kate, Thomas, Emily and Madeline); brothers, Rod and Bernice Schmidt and Tom Schmidt; sister, Sr. Paula Schmidt, CSsR; brother-in-law, Don and Kathy Robach, sisters-in-law, Lillian Lidgard, Dianna Robach, Barbara Mitchell and Nancy Robach; several nieces and nephews. Mary was a retired med tech and life time member of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish and a graduate of Catholic Central and Aquinas College. She was a woman of Faith. Mary was a loving and beautiful woman who had a gift of hospitality. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday 10:30 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 1449 Wilcox Park Dr. SE, Rev. James A. Chelich, presiding. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday 7-9:00 p.m. and Friday 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. with a vigil service at 7:30 p.m. at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Road, Grand Rapids. Memorial contributions may be made to Redemptoristine Nuns, 89 Hidden Brooke Dr., Beacon, New York 12508.
