Rita Root, age 89, of Miles City passed away on Friday, April 10, 2015 at the Cottonwood Care Home.
Rita Schumacher Root was born on the family farm in Crofton, NE, on September 13, 1925, the fourth child of Anna (Kube) and Anton Schumacher. The family moved to Bloomfield, NE, when Rita was 10 years old, and then to Hartington, NE, when she was 15. Rita graduated from Hartington High School in 1943, and worked at the dime store in Hartington until she moved to New Jersey, in 1944, to live with her sister Lorraine. While in New Jersey, Rita met Dan Root of Miles City who was in the Navy with a Hartington friend of the Schumacher’s. Rita and Dan corresponded through the remainder of World War II and their romance continued for the duration of their lives together. In 1946, after Dan returned to Miles City from the service, Rita moved to Miles City and began working at the Range Riders Bar, Café and Dining Room. Rita and Dan were married on March 30, 1948 and remained a loving and devoted couple until Dan’s passing in February 1991.
Rita and Dan had two children, Patricia and Marie. Rita was a working woman through her life, with several years of employment at Safeway, and retired in 1987 after working at Sears for over 23 years. After her retirement, Rita became active with volunteer work through RSVP, volunteering mostly with the Same Day Surgery Unit and the Clinic at HolyRosaryMedicalCenter. Rita was an avid gardener and she had a natural affinity with animals of all kinds, raising an orphaned great horned owl over the course of one summer, and “dog sitting” for friends over the years. She maintained correspondence and contact with friends and family throughout the country, and she was thrilled to have visits from people with whom she kept contact over the years. Rita went on several coach trips with her sister- and brother-in-law and traveled to New Orleans, New York, and Old Amsterdam with her daughter Marie. The Root Girls’ last road trip was March 2014 to visit Rita’s brother in Nebraska. “Onward through the spring blizzards to the next Chinese buffet and the next fish fry!” Rita was thoughtful and generous, remembering others with baked goods, notes, treats and a supportive listening ear. She was notably courteous in her dealings with others, always an example of positive people skills.
Health challenges necessitated Rita’s move to assisted living and, in July 2014, Rita changed residences to Cottonwood Care Home. There Rita enjoyed loving relationships with staff and particularly enjoyed Kaci’s homemade soups. Rita’s winter had been especially challenging and she had her long-anticipated reunion with Dan on Friday, April 10, 2015, with her dear friend Ladd Coates at her side.
Rita was preceded in passing by her life’s love Dan, daughter Patti, sister Lorraine, brothers Jerome and Paul, and the Root family sisters- and brothers-in-law and their mates. She is survived by her daughter Marie, granddaughter Michelle, brother
Gerald (Betty), and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. Rita is also survived by her friend, the “good lad” Ladd Coates, good neighbors Marge and Kelly Gardner, and numerous friends from her many years of living and working in Miles City.
Rita wished to be cremated and a celebration of Rita’s life will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at 2pm at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home. An ice cream social in honor of Rita will follow in the reception hall. Interment will occur in the Custer County Cemetery at a later date. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the community or environmental group of choice. Heart’s rest and Godspeed, dear Rita.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday April 25, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
2:00 p.m.
Saturday April 25, 2015
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
1717 Main Street
Miles City, Montana 59301
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Beverly McDowell Harris says
So long my friend, you will be missed. So sorry Marie.
Renée Peterson says
Marie, I have lots of good memories from childhood with your family. I always think of your mother when I have French toast. She made the best French toast. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Renée
Martha Crandall says
Sorry Marie, Rita was always a ray of sunlight.
Pat and Cheryl Rogers says
Marie,
So sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She was a dear lady and will certainly be missed. God bless you and comfort you during this time and in the months to come.
Linda Wyse says
Maire
So sorry about your Mom she was a terrific lady, Always had a smile and a laugh, she called herself the ole hen and I was the young chick. She will be missed very much, remember the good times.
Jo Ridgeway says
Rita was a spitfire. I enjoyed meeting her when my mom, Emma Ridgeway, was at TLC. She was a lot of fun.
Denise and Jay Harvey says
Always a joy to be around!!! She made the world a better place!
Denise Oberlander Harvey
April Thompson says
So sorry to hear of Rita’s passing. She was always such fun when I saw her at HRH. Her wit and smile will be missed.
Mary Ann Cahill says
Marie,
Your Mom was a great lady. . She always had a smile and had time to visit a bit. She will be missed but the good memories remain.
Betty and Gerry Schumacher says
Marie, we are glad you brought your mom down to see us, we had a good visit. She was my sister , so this leaves only me, her brother, left in the Anton and Ann Schumacher family. We do have lots of memories over the past 80 some years. Sorry Marie, it’s hard to loose your mother, who also was my sister. Gerry
Terri and Ray Schmidt says
Oh, Marie, I am so sorry to learn about your mom’s passing. Please know I am thinking of you and sending you a hug. I am in Chicago right now or I would try and get ahold of you so we could get together. I always enjoyed visiting with you and hearing your stories about when you would come to Miles City to visit your mother. Please take care of yourself.
Renee Strand says
So sorry of your mom’s passing. She was such a neat lady and a good friend/co-worker to my mom at Sears. She made life fun and easier to get through a tough day at the store. After retirement, both your mom and mine would visit…Treasure the memories…as I am sure you have many wonderful ones. Take Care.
june opp says
Marie, We are so sorry to see on the Internet of your Mothers passing. We were very sad as the last time we visited her she seemed so good . She was a lovely lady and always so pleasant person to visit with. She was so very proud of you. Please know our prayers and thoughts are with you during this difficult time and the days ahead . May God bless and comfort you
Love June and Ruben Opp
Elphie Wood and Toni Little says
We are so thankful Rita had time to have dinner with us the last time we were in Miles City.
Mom loved being her neighbor, having coffee, sharing, caring and everything that goes with being good friends. I also valued my time with Rita like when we attended the Blue Grass Festival and had meals together. She will be in our hearts forever and will miss her. Please take good care of yourself. Rita talked about you so often I feel like we met you. You are in our prayers and thoughts.
Stephani Schumacher-Collins says
Cousin Marie,
My heart is full for you. Your mom, my lovely Aunt Rita, is a very special woman. She will remain tn the hearts of many for years to come. Always kind and gentle, and feisty when she needed to be. I will miss her dearly. I believe she lives on….with Uncle Dan, Dad, ,Lorraine, Gerome, Patty and Scotty. My thoughts are with you.
Love to you this day.
Kelly Dodge Tarr says
What a great woman!!! I have flowers in my yard from her!
VERLIN AND BERNADETTE MILLER says
I’ve known Rita since I was a child – seeing her at the Sears store with my Mom. She was such a dear lady who cared for everyone immensely. I loved to see her at the clinic for her visits. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. —Bernadette and Verlin Miller
Tanna Aye says
Marie,
Your mom was always such a bright spot in everyones day. She had such a zest for life. She talked of her travels with you and the beautiful areas you visited. I will miss her wit and independence. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Betty and Gerry Schumacher says
Good bye sis. Gerry
Charles Pratt says
Rest peacefully Aunt Rita. It was good that we’ve been able to get together a number of times since we are 2,000 miles apart.
Charles
Wanda Holmlund says
Marie: I have many good memories of your mother and am sure you will recall many of your own over the next weeks and months. She was a wonderful woman, a good neighbor, and a true pleasure to be around.
Ed and Becky (O'Daniel) Gergen says
Marie: Your mother was a tremendous help to my mother at the Sears store. Mom said numerous times, “Thank goodness for Rita”. I know that no words of sympathy, no matter how deeply felt, can help much right now, but I want you to know that you have my deepest most sincere condolences.
Sandy Anderson says
So sorry Marie, I just loved your Mom. She was such a nice person.
Keith and Barb Hoover says
Rita was true gem. I met her the first time at her home when I was working for a medical company. Later on as a volunteer where I was employed. She always remembered my parents and asked about them. Thoughtful through and through.
Arlene Corbin says
Loved you Rita and always enjoyed our visits. God bless
Renae Meade says
Marie, I am so sorry and saddened to hear of your Mother’s passing.
I am so glad I was able to get to know Rita, and you as well. She was so much fun to visit with, and I am really going to miss her.
She was gold, and the shiny went all the way through.
Carlene Root says
Marie, Every time I saw your mother, she always had a smile and a “Hello”. So sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. She was a great lady. Carlene Root.
Lennice says
I very much enjoyed taking care of your mom. She was such an amazing person. She will be greatly missed.
Deb (Moths) Schmeling says
Marie and Family,
So sorry to hear about your Mother. She was a wonderful lady in our neighborhood. She had a great sense of humor. She will be missed by all who knew her. May God wrap His comforting arms around each one of you.
Joan Hedke says
Marie, Gene and I so enjoyed Rita. To me she is “The Lady of the West” and always will be.
She always was so pleasant to visit with on the phone. And I so enjoyed sending letters and cards to her. We will miss her.
Eileen & Vern Entzel says
Marie, So sorry to hear about your mom. I enjoyed the years I worked with her at Sears and all our visits in the years after that. You are in our thoughts and prayers
Tracey Peterson says
Wonderful lady! I had the joy of working with her through the volunteer program. Such a bright spot there! She will be missed greatly.
Jim &Cecile Certain says
Marie, I worked with your Mom in Same Day Surgery for several years. What a delight she was to work with. We shared hard work & much laughter. Will always treasure the memories.
Arlene says
Hey Marie,
I send love and hugs to you. I usually don’t do ‘public’ postings but all my info on you is in Forsyth. I enjoyed chatting with Rita on the phone and no matter what, she was always able to laugh. I remember the years of playing cards with her, Dan and Dad. It’s so wonderful to have only good memories.
Patty Clawson says
Marie, I was so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. You have been there for her every step of the way, something that earns tremendous respect in my book. I remember all the holidays that your Mom sent you her “chex mix” and you shared it with us back at the office. Yum. See you back in Missoula where we can raise a toast to her memory.
Debra Moore says
What a wonderful lady. Such a joy to be around. We will miss her.
Jody Furrer says
Marie,
What a lovely tribute to your mom. Reading about her shows that she passed many of those wonderful personal characteristics on to you. Take care and know that I have a listening ear if you need it at anytime.
Jim Howe says
I too will miss that smiling face. Rest in God’s loving care, Rita.
rich and kathleen says
Our hearts are with you dear Marie. Breathe the air of peace. We’ve got your back. A big loving OM to Rita on her way.
Lois says
As I read these memories and descriptions of Rita, I see you, Marie. A smile, happy to see people, engaging, warm, funny, thoughtful. She gifted you with these. And so her lovely qualities will live on. Her stardust will encircle us all. Know I’m with you.