Rita R. (Romanowski) Pleiss

Pleiss, Rita R.  (nee Romanowski) of Beavercreek, Ohio, died peacefully on Friday, September 17, 2021, at the Hospice of Dayton Center.  Rita was born on November 6, 1929, in Cudahy, Wisconsin to Regina (Mikna) and Roman Romanowski, Sr.  She spent her entire childhood in Cudahy, attending a Polish Catholic grade school with her three sisters and brother.

Post high school graduation, Rita attended and graduated from the Prospect Hall Secretarial School in Milwaukee.  She then went to work for Robert W Baird & Co (or the “stockbrokers” as she liked to call them).

 She met Bernie Pleiss at a Marquette University social mixer, using her sister’s ID to gain entrance.  Bernie and Rita were married on April 19, 1952, in a double wedding ceremony with her sister Rosalie.  Shortly thereafter, Rita and Bernie moved to Dayton, Ohio where they began to raise their family.

Rita was a fastidious homemaker and managed her large household with sheer precision.  In addition to raising eight children, Rita always found time to stay involved with her community.  She served as the parish Girl Scout Troop organizer, worked with Head Start youth, and served on the Immaculate Conception School PTO Board.

In 1977, Rita and Bernie moved to Tipp City and remained there until Bernie’s death in 2013.  Rita continued to be involved with Girl Scouts in Tipp City and worked with adults desiring to learn to read thru the local Literacy Council.  Rita and Bernie were members of St John the Baptist church in Tipp City.  Rita was an excellent seamstress, knitter, gardener, and crafter all her life. She loved to create and truly had a “green thumb”.

Rita spent her final 8 years in assisted living facilities, mainly at The Traditions of Beavercreek Facility where she thrived.  The family would like to thank all of the past and current staff who befriended and cared for our feisty mother.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, parents, her sister, Rosalie, her brother, Roman Jr., and grandson Broc Pleiss.  Surviving Rita are her sisters, Ruth Jasinski and Rachael Culver; her children, Drs. Michael (Chris) Pleiss of Sunnyvale, CA, Mark (Cecilia) Pleiss of Baltimore, MD, S. Susan Marie Pleiss of Oldenburg, IN, Linda (Richard) Felts of Asheville, NC, Lisa (Kevin) Walker of Jericho, VT, Philip (Karen) Pleiss of Madison, MS, Martin Pleiss of Dayton, OH, and Kristina Pleiss of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren, Katie (Logan) Hohs, Geoffrey Pleiss, Melanie Pleiss, Timothy Pleiss, Matthew (Ashleigh) Walker, Colin Walker, Abigail (Henry Snow) Walker, Benjamin (Crystal) Pleiss, and Bella Troutman.

Visitation will be held 9:30 AM until time of Catholic Mass at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 24, 2021, 753 S. Hyatt St. Tipp City, OH; Father Andrew Smith, Celebrant.  Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Tipp City.  Arrangements have been entrusted to FRINGS AND BAYLIFF FUNERAL HOME, 327 W. Main St., Tipp City, OH 45371. Donations may be made to Hospice of Dayton or the Needy Basket of Tipp City.