Rita Frances Gunzelman

Rita F. Gunzelman (nee Pohl), age 93, passed away peacefully on the 22nd of March 2021, surrounded by loved ones, at her Oak Crest Village residence. Rita was born to Louis and Amelia Pohl of Baltimore, MD on September 24, 1927. She is survived by her husband, of 73 years, Joseph X. Gunzelman. They were wed on Thanksgiving Day 1947. Rita and Joseph had 4 sons, 8 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren. Rita was an all around caring mother for her boys, a great cook, athletic, smart, organized, trustee, socialite, and Mrs. Clever, straight out of the 1950s. She was college bound but sacrificed those plans to care for her new family. She is our matriarch, totally dedicated to her family. Rita kept a clean and tidy house, something her sons continue in their own lives today both inside and out. She could seamlessly multi-task and keep it all straight—whether it was getting the boys off to school, then driving them to team sports, teenage jobs, Scouts, music lessons, and numerous other activities. Rita was someone whom others respected as loyal, truthful, and a terrific hostess. She was a great mentor and protector; she liked to entertain both indoors and outdoors to include the famous annual summertime crab feast in the backyard. Rita was a competitive card player, and teamed with Joe in Pinochle against the in-laws. She never fibbed; she was a straight shooter, someone of few words who got right to the point, but with a sweet and melodic voice. She always liked being in places that were well-kept and well-manicured, such as their well-groomed lawn. This coincides with her final resting place. She will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

Rita is the beloved wife of Joseph Gunzelman; devoted mother of Steve Gunzelman and his wife Karen, of Houston, Texas, Greg Gunzelman and his wife Nancy, of Woodstock, Maryland, Mark Gunzelman and his wife Venida, of Bowie, Maryland, and Eric Gunzelman, of Herndon, Virginia; loving grandmother of Christopher Gunzelman and his wife Ashley, of Houston, Texas, Jennifer Buckley and her husband Blake, of Dallas, Texas, Ashley Gunzelman and her fiance Dustin Osbourne, of Charlotte, North Carolina, Amanda Gunzelman and Patrick Bolgren, of Houston, Texas, Megan Gunzelman, of Bowie, Maryland, Caitlin Gunzelman and Danny Walker, of Annapolis, Maryland, Erica Gunzelman, of Dallas, Texas, and Amelia Gunzelman, of Dallas, Texas; cherished great-grandmother of Breslin Gunzelman, of Houston, Texas, and Adriana Walker, of Annapolis, Maryland.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the Schimunek Funeral Home, Inc., 9705 Belair RD, Nottingham, MD 21236, on Friday, March 26, 2021, from 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM; further visitation will be held on Saturday, March 27, 2021, from 11 AM to 12 PM at the funeral home with a service to follow at 12 PM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Rita’s name to the Oak Crest Village Benevolent Care Fund, 8800 Walther Blvd, Parkville, MD 21234.