Rita E (Kamyszek) Prokopowicz

Rita E. Prokopowicz, RN, 81, of Burt Lake Michigan passed away peacefully on April 4, 2025 at Pineview Cottage in Harbor Springs. Rita was born in Posen, Michigan on October 3, 1943, the daughter of Aloysius and Theresa (Bruski) Kamyszek. A Posen High School graduate of the class of 1962, Rita was class president. After high school she attended the Mercy School of Nursing (University of Detroit) receiving an RN degree in 1966. On October 22, 1966, she married her high school sweetheart Ted Prokopowicz at St. Casmir's Catholic Church in Posen.

Throughout her 40-year nursing career, Rita worked at various hospitals throughout the state of Michigan including Wyandotte General, Sparrow in Lansing, Crittenton in Rochester, Foote Memorial Hospital in Jackson, Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey with retirement in 2006. An advocate for education, Rita returned to school and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ferris State University, graduating with honors in 1990. Working in outpatient surgery was her favorite area of specialty.

Rita enjoyed raising and educating her children, Matthew and Jennifer. In her spare time, she enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, Polish cooking, sewing, classical violin music, listening to polka music, traveling, and praying the rosary. In addition to traveling throughout the country, Rita especially enjoyed Catholic pilgrimages to Italy and Poland. Several years were spent volunteering as an Art Goes to School instructor, bringing art to the grade school classroom. She was also a past board member of the Jackson Youth Symphony.

Rita is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Ted; son Matthew (Joanna) of Queen Creek, AZ, daughter Jennifer (Bradley) Kuivinen of Burt Lake. Three sisters; Dorothy Gerrie of Presque Isle, Irene Slominski of Alpena, Virginia (Tom) Kieliszewski of Alpena, sister-in-law Carol Kamysek of Two Rivers, Wisconsin and numerous nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents Aloysius and Theresa, brother Leo Kamyszek, brother Richard Kamyszek, brother-in-law Kennard Gerrie and Jerome Slominski and sister-in-law Donna Beach.

According to Rita’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A funeral Mass of Christian burial will be held at the Cross in the Woods Catholic Shrine in Indian River in mid-May.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Hospice of Michigan, Pineview Cottage of Harbor Springs, Dr. Josh Saur and Dr. D. Scott Eaton for the care Rita received.

Memorial contributions can be made to  Cross in the Woods Catholic Shrine, Right to Life of Michigan, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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