Rita Lynn West

     Rita Lynn (Besko) West, born October 15, 1942, in Owosso, MI to Henry and Dorothy Besko (McMaster) entered into her eternal rest on October 12, 2026, at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing, Lansing, MI.
     Rita grew up in Ovid and St. Johns, MI raised with her siblings: Teala (John) Moon, and Bill (Fran) Besko. Rita went on to graduate Grand Ledge Academy in 1961, and then dedicated many years to the State of Michigan. Later in life, she worked as a recess aide for Ovid-Elsie Area Schools. Rita's love knew no bounds, and her most important job in life was raising her children and grandchildren, extending even to her great-grandchildren. Rita married Jack A. Sodman, Sr., in 1976, and he preceded her in death in 1994. Rita was able to find love again in 2010, when she rekindled a high school love, in Jennings C. West, he survives her.
     Rita has a deep faith, and love for her church family where she was a member of the St. Johns Seventh Day Adventist Church. She dedicated many years to volunteering at both the church as a deaconess and at the Community Service Center, where she worked every Wednesday. Later, Rita served on the Ovid Library Board and enjoyed her fellowship with friends created there. Rita enjoyed the simple things in life like shopping on Sundays, card games, gospel songs, and travel. She spent many years camping with her family in a motor home traveling every weekend. She enjoyed watching her grandchildren in sporting events, dance recitals, and was immensely proud of her family and their accomplishments.
     She is survived by her husband Jennings C. West; her siblings: Soni (Mark) Latz, and Dirk (Kay) Besko; her children: Kathy (Doug) Reed, Janean (Dan) Walker, Steven (Kenji) Griffith, Kari (Shawn) Sodman-Orth, and Jeremy (Vanessa) Sodman; her grandchildren: William (Heather) Reed, Jr., Kacie (Tim) Sodman, Cassandra (Jordan) Malinoski, Amara (Brady) DuFresne, AJ Larsen, Mykala (Nicholas) Konecny, Jordan Griffith, Jonathan (MaKenna) Sodman, Dustin (Brianna) Walker, Caleb Larsen, Spencer Griffith, and Macyn Orth. Rita's love multiplied and included step-grandchildren and 16-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Henry Besko, Dorothy Andrus, Donna Besko and Earl Andrus; her second husband Jack A. Sodman, Sr., siblings: Teala (John) Moon and Bill Besko, her son Jack A. Sodman, Jr. and his wife Kimberly Sodman.
      Rita's greatest truth was that she believed in God, and had immense Faith that we will all be reunited in Heaven.
      A Memorial Service will be held at St. Johns Seventh Day Adventist Church, St. Johns, MI, at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, October 16, 2026, with Pastor Alvin Remocal officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the church. Burial will take place at a later date at Middlebury Township Cemetery, Ovid, MI.
      Memorials may be made to St. Johns Seventh Day Adventist Church.  Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes - Houghton Chapel, Ovid, Michigan.