Rita Rose Walsh

Rita Rose Walsh, 93 of Ubly passed away Saturday, July 25, 2015 at the Huron County Medical Care Facility after a long illness. Rita was born on April 25, 1922 in Parisville to the late Alex and Sabina (Jezak) Susalla. She attended St. Mary Catholic School in Parisville. She married Leo Walsh on September 2, 1939 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Parisville. After nearly 59 years of marriage, he preceded her in death on July 14, 1998. Rita farmed alongside her husband on their dairy farm in Austin Township of Sanilac County. She was a dedicated homemaker and was accomplished in baking, sewing, quilting and needlepoint. She was a longtime member of St. Ignatius Catholic church where she participated in the Altar Society and volunteered for many years as sacristan of the parish. Rita is survived by her daughter, Sharon (Charles) Franzel of Ubly; 3 sons, Dale (Peggy) Walsh of Saginaw, Roderick (Marilyn) Walsh and Gordon (Ann) Walsh, all of Ubly; 24 grandchildren, Mike Franzel, Kim(Greg) Walker, Dave (Jeni) Franzel, Kevin Franzel, Richard (Sarah) Franzel, Rodney Franzel, Bradley Franzel, Cade Walsh, all of Ubly, Chris Franzel and Brian (Nancy) Franzel of Bad Axe, Karen (Joe) Pichla of Freeland, Kelly (Tony) Comini of Highland, Charles Franzel of Caseville, Kathy Franzel and fiancé Al of Sterling Heights, Jesse (Kerri) Walsh of Honolulu, HI, Carrie Walsh and fiancé Tim of Bay City, Jason Walsh of Saginaw, Brett Walsh of Fennville, Alicia (Anthony) Ivetac of San Diego, CA, Kyle (Katie) Walsh of Villa Hills, KY, Tanya (David) Rajewski of Flushing, Dawn (Keith) Swann of Swartz Creek, Angel (Andy) Douglass of Grand Blanc and Presley Walsh of Davison; 40 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren; 1 sister, Mildred Duda of Harbor Beach; 2 sisters-in-law, Susan Brown of La Mesa, CA, Donna Walsh of Ubly, 2 brothers-in-law, Joseph (Patricia) Walsh and Louis (Rosalie) Walsh, both of Ubly. Rita was preceded in death by her son, Douglas Walsh, 2 brothers, Raymond and James Susalla; 1 grandson, Gary Franzel; baby granddaughter, Elaine Franzel; 1 great grandson, Ashton Douglass. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am Tuesday, July 28 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church of Good Shepherd Parish in Freiburg. Rev. Charles Hammond, pastor will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Joseph-St. Ignatius Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Zinger-Smigielski Funeral Home in Ubly on Monday from 3:00-9:00 pm and Tuesday from 10:00-11:00 am at the church only. There will be a rosary Monday evening at 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the St. Joseph-St. Ignatius Cemetery Fund.