Loretta Kay "Rita" Garrison, 85, of Hamlet, Indiana, passed away Saturday, September 2nd, 2023 at home, surrounded by her loved ones.
She was born April 29th, 1938 in La Porte, Indiana, the daughter of Cecil Zahrn and Florence (Arndt) Zahrn.
A lifelong resident of the area, Rita graduated from Union Township High School, class of 1956. On May 3rd, 1963, in southern Indiana, she married Larry Garrison, who preceded her in death, July 12th, 2016. Together, they raised their family and after retirement traveled throughout the south in their motorhome as "snowbirds" for 5 months each year. Rita was a bus driver for the La Porte Community School Corporation, retiring after 25 years of service. She was a member of Tracy Church, the Union Township Alumni and the Bus Driver Ladies Bunco and Lunch group. Rita was a 4-H leader for many years and was an accomplished seamstress, teaching 3 generations how to sew. She also enjoyed quilting and flower gardening. Her greatest passion, though, was her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she adored.
Rita is survived by her two daughters, Debra (John) Marsh of Hamlet, IN, Cindy Bryan of Houston, TX; son, Keith (Kristine) Ferguson of Fish Lake, IN; sister, Ethel Ferguson of Farmington Hills, MI; nine grandchildren, Mindy (Jason) Heidel, Jenny (Andrew) Minich, Laurie (Derek) Frazier, Katie Marsh, Felicia (Kent) Rising, Kayla (Adam) Banks, Taylor (Alex) Tomalski, Brianna (Ben) Helsby, Max Bryan; 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Along with her husband of 53 years, Larry, Rita was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Josephine Sparks and Marilyn Nelson; her grandchildren, Joshua Ferguson and Kevin Bryan II and her first husband, James E. Ferguson, who was killed in action while serving in the United States Air Force.
The family would also like to thank and acknowledge Rita's caregiver, Gertrude Manda, for her compassionate care in the past 6 months.
Arrangements are being entrusted to Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 602 Maple Avenue, La Porte, IN. A visitation and funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 9th, 2023 at Tracy Church in Hamlet, with viewing from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. and the service at 11:00. Pastor Kay Bond will officiate. Interment will follow at the Tracy Cemetery, Hamlet, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made in Rita's name to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Tracy Church, 1702 US-6, Hamlet, IN 46532.
Online condolences may be made at www.haverstockfuneralhome.com.
