Rita Joan Creek entered eternal life on February 4, 2023.
Rita, the only daughter and the middle child of seven children, born to Henry and Katherine Sadowski, in Newton, Kansas on August 8, 1931, , at the age of 91. Rita grew up in Kansas on a small rural farm. She attended grammar school, Norris School, a one-room country school, where all eight grades were taught, then attended and graduated from Newton High School in 1949. She had a great aspiration to become a Nun and a nurse, of which she did both. She entered the Convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Wichita, KS, where she served 14 years. During that time, she attended and graduated from Mount Carmel School of Nursing, Pittsburg, KS, with a Diploma Degree in Nursing. Rita loved being a Nun and all of which it en-tailed. She loved and looked forward to her vacations at home. It was there she could be herself with family and friends. Her profession brought her to California in 1962, where she continued nursing until her retirement. Her nursing career covered a span of 49 years. Her nursing profession was her life. Hoping that through this career, she would touch the hearts and souls of each of her patients, that she would make a difference in their lives. Because of her love of this work, she was fortunate to witness the Miracle of Birth, a new life with each mother's delivery of their newborn baby, and she thanks these young mothers for letting her share this special moment with them. She enjoyed gardening, baking, and crocheting. She also was a lover of nature, adored her animals, and most of all she loved and cherished each and every member of her family. Her family will miss her smiling face, gentle nature, and spirit of generosity, but most of all they will miss her love. We never lose the one we love forever, though she's gone, within the hearts of those who cared, her memory lingers on. There are so many people who loved Rita that this entire page would not be enough to list them all. You know who you are and Rita knows as well. Rita, please know that you will never be out of our thoughts and prayers. We know you are in a better place even though we are not yet there with you. We know you will always be with us. Fly with the angels Rita and check in on all of us every once in a while. We love you so much and you will be truly missed. Until we meet again.
She is survived by her stepson, Donald Cheek, of Penngrove, California. Known lovingly as "Granny", she is survived by grandchildren Jennifer and Richard, great-grandchildren Kadee, Micah, James, Taylinn, Eva, and Presly, as well as great, great-grandchildren Thomas, Madison, McKinley, and Lukas. Survived by sister-in-law Rita (Clayton) Sadowski, Thomas and Peggy Sadowski of Newton, KS, and Allen and Rita Sadowski of Grantville. Three Rita's in the family, she was number 1. She will be missed by her extended family of many nieces, nephews, and friends that touched her life as well. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Lloyd, her husband and best friend; her parents Henry and Katherine Sadowski, her brothers Gerald, Ted, and Clayton Sadowski and her grandson, Jason Cheek.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church at 10 am on April 21, 2023. Her final resting place of inurnment Burial will be held at 1:30 pm on April 21, 2023 at Burwood Cemetery, East River Road, Escalon, California. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, or to the charity of your choice.
