Rita E. (Lepperd) Fruhwirth

Rita E. Fruhwirth, 79, formerly of Hummelstown passed away Thursday, June 11, 2026 at the home of her daughter in Newport.

Born June 3, 1947 in Londonderry Township, she was a daughter of the late Benjamin and Leah (Hetrick) Lepperd and widow of Joseph J. Fruhwirth since February 2014.  Rita was also preceded in death by siblings Nancy Keister, Betty Simmers, Benjamin Lepperd, Robert Lee Lepperd, and Daniel Lepperd;

Rita was a 1965 graduate of Lower Dauphin High School, took various technical college courses, received her Real Estate license and was a Public Notary.  After a 34-year career in upper management at Bell Atlantic, Rita retired in 2000.  Thriving on being busy, she elected to work part time jobs until she went back to working full-time as a Settlement Agent for Intercounty Land Transfer and coordinating settlements for Brownstone Real Estate Company.  She was active in small development groups at her church, Trinity United Methodist Church, Hummelstown, serving communion, helping with Vacation Bible School, Grief Group and The Shepherd’s Closet.  She was a member of the Keystone Emmaus Community and Bell Atlantic Pioneer Club.  Rita also enjoyed sports, reading, and took pride in volunteering at the Hummelstown Food Bank, Lower Dauphin Football Boosters and LD Care Club.

Surviving are her daughter Jamie L. Landis (Timothy); son Joshua L. Fruhwirth (Jodi); faithful best friend Karen Hoerner; siblings Beverly Groff, Darlene Lepperd (Mark Johnson) and Peggy Lepperd (Melvin Hodge), four granddaughters Maci Fruhwirth, Taylor Smith, Vera Bierman, and Viola Bierman; two step granddaughters Kailey Landis and Kyra Landis; and multiple nieces and nephews.

Services are private and will be held at the convenience of the family with interment in Hummelstown Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Pink Hands of Hope, 5325 East Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050 or Homeland Hospice, 2300 Vartan Way, Suite 270, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

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