Rhitta Ann Bounds 64 of Mitchell passed away peacefully into the arms of her Lord on February 27, 2023 at Bergen Mercy Hospital in Omaha with her loved ones by her side.
Rhitta’s Celebration of life will be Saturday March 18, at 10:00 am held at Northfield Church in Gering with Pastor Kiley Callaway officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made in care of the family to be designated at a later date.
Rhitta was born February 27, 1959 in Alliance Nebraska to William and Shirley Smith. Rhitta grew up and graduated from Mitchell High School in 1977. After graduating she went to work at Grampys Pancake House. In 1982 she went to join the United States Air Force where she took her basic training at Lakeland Air Force Base in Texas receiving the rank of Airman E-2. Rhitta was injured during training and received an Honorable Medical discharge. Rhitta met and married David Bounds Sr and they were transferred to Shephard Air force Base in Wichita Falls TX where they welcomed their first born son David Mark Jr. After David Sr left the Air Force they moved to Vallejo CA where they welcomed their youngest son James William. After some time Rhitta and her young sons moved back to Mitchell NE where she resided for the remainder of her life and raised her children with the help of her family.
Rhitta went into nursing at WNCC school of nursing and became an LPN for RWMC for many years. As a result of a back injury she later retired from the nursing field. Rhitta went back to college graduating from Chadron State College with a Bachelors degree in Education. With this degree she worked many years at WNCC as a TRIO Student Support Services Program Advisor and Supplemental Instruction Specialist, as well as an advisor for Phi Theta Kappa. Rhitta loved being a member, teacher, and advisor. She loved helping her Veterans, Students, and co-workers. She touched the lives of many who passed through her office door. Unfortunately declining health forced Rhitta to retire early.
Even through her ill health her faith kept her going and with the help of Pastor William Bibb she became an ordained minister performing many marriages, funerals, and services. Rhitta was also a proud member of the Scottsbluff County CERT and the Mitchell American Legion.
As part of her physical therapy Rhitta and her sister Maurene began designing wall hanging necklaces. Rhitta called her special project “The Ties That Bind”. Together they sold them at craft fairs and donated all proceeds to various charities.
Rhitta dedicated her life to loving her family especially her grandchildren, friends and making other’s lives happier. She was known as the sassy mamaw with her spiked and highlighted purple/red hair, but mostly expressing her faith and leading others to God. We will forever miss you.
Rhitta is survived by her son’s David Bounds Jr of Mitchell, James (Breanna) Bounds, grandchildren Sienna, McKenna, and Declan Bounds of Gering. Mother Shirley Smith of Mitchell, sister Elaine Leonhardt-Rein of Morrill, sister and devoted caregiver Maurene Smith of Mitchell, Life partner “Big Brat Keith Radomski of Omaha, nephews Will (Kristin) Leonhardt of Mitchell and Matthew Theroux of Sacramento CA. Great nephews Adrian and Kaleb Leonhardt of North Platte and great niece Liz Batt of Gering. Aunt Mary Danforth of Fort Collins CO, uncle’s Burr Jamison of Ashby NE and Robert Jamison of Lake Ozark MO, numerous cousins including Rose Hardy of alliance NE and additional adopted family Charles Stackhouse, Randy Brening, Rick Nelson, Brian Nichols, Janet Craven and many more.
Preceding Rhitta in death was her father William Smith, twin daughters Melissa and Genevieve, grandbaby Emery, Brother-in-laws Larry Leonhardt and Stuart Rein.