Rita K. Waugh

Rita K. Waugh, age 66 of Columbia City, IN, passed away at 2:15 am on Friday November 24, 2023, at Goshen Hospital, Goshen.  Born on December 6, 1956, in Warsaw, IN, she was the daughter of Harold and Phyllis (Ewers) Arnold.

Rita attended Columbia City High School.  On August 22, 1980, she married Harold “Nub” Waugh at First Presbyterian Church, Columbia City.  Rita worked alongside Nub on the family farm for most of her working career, but for 2 seasons she worked at Goose Lake Resort and loved it.  She attended Etna United Methodist Church and was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star.  Rita enjoyed cooking, baking bread, writing poems, arrowhead hunting, collecting cookie jars, spending time at the Whitley County Ag Museum, and was also an avid dog lover.

Survivors include her husband Harold “Nub” Waugh of Columbia City; daughter Christina Pence of Pierceton; grandchildren Benjamin Hyden, Riley Hyden, Matthew Hyden, and Jasmine Hyden; great-grandson Nico Hyden; brother Lee “Joe” (Sherry) Arnold of Columbia City; brother-in-law Lynn Orcutt of Larwill; uncles Jim Sarber of Claypool and Joe Ewers of Wolcottville; numerous nieces and nephews; guardian of Jeff Gaff.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Linda Orcutt and Freddie Arnold, and Mark Gaff that she and Nub were guardians to.

Friends may call on Wednesday November 29, 2023, from 3:00-7:00 pm at Whitley County Agricultural Museum, 680 West Squawbuck Road, Columbia City.

Funeral services for Rita will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday November 30, 2023, at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

Burial will follow in Scott-Kiester Cemetery, Columbia City.

Memorial contributions in memory of Rita may be made to Whitley County Agricultural Museum or Etna Community Bible Church.

Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send family condolences or to sign the online guest register.