Rhonda L. Rarick

Rhonda Louise Rarick, 61, died Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017, at Altercare of Bucyrus where she had been a patient during an extended illness.



Rhonda was born April 30, 1956, in Bucyrus, Ohio to the late Ronald Dean and Marlene Rae (Starner) Rarick. She was married May 11, 1991, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Bucyrus, to Robert Patrick Nieder. Pat was the love of her life. She often recalled the first time she saw him when she was dancing in front of the old Sullivan’s Toyland when he was playing in one of numerous bands. He preceded her in death Nov. 26, 2015.



She is survived by her daughter Lauren Louise, brother Michael Dean Rarick (Joyce A.), and nephews Christopher Dean and Andrew Robert.



Rhonda was a 1974 graduate of Bucyrus High School and a 1978 graduate of Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She worked as a reporter for the Telegraph-Forum for more than a decade. She covered the commissioners, court proceedings and wrote feature stories.



Among those stories, she covered numerous air shows affording her the opportunity to fly in vintage airplanes. One memorable headline called her an “Unafraid Newsgal.” She was unafraid when it came to so many things, from roller coasters to trapshooting to traveling to Scotland, Hawaii, Aruba and other parts of the world. Rhonda enjoyed dancing and socializing with her friends. She was happy to be up all night watching movies or reading. She loved dogs, particularly beagles.



A one-time Mary Kay consultant, Rhonda had also worked as a substitute teacher. She was employed at Lifetouch for more than 10 years. She had been a precinct election official for the Crawford County Board of Elections and was a past regent of the Hannah Crawford Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.



Calling hours will be from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7 at Wise Funeral Service, where her funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday with Pastor Bernie France officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.



Donations can be made payable to either the Humane Society Serving Crawford County or to the American Cancer Society and these gifts will be accepted at the funeral home.