Rita Buetow

On Monday afternoon of December 12, 2022, in Independence, Kansas, Rita D. Buetow, beloved grammy, mom, sister, daughter, aunt, niece, cousin and friend, passed away surrounded by her family.

On the day before the pheasant season opener of 1959, Bob Roberts’s prayers were answered. Wife and mother Reba gave birth to the baby Rita Diane Roberts on November 2nd. Rita was preceded by brother Robin and followed by younger sister Rhonda. Alongside their flock of cousins, Rita had many fun adventures and got in some not-so-fun trouble. Particularly at Christmas time when they would all compete for who could slide the furthest down the stair banister at grandma and grandpa’s house. Nevertheless, she enjoyed her studies and made many great memories and a few of her dearest friends as a student in Altamont, Kansas, followed by her graduation from Coffeyville Community College.

Rita was a determined girl who grew into an even more willful woman. Even as a young girl, she wouldn’t sit, but stand on the seat of her dad’s ‘56 red Chevy pickup truck, gazing over the dash with her brother behind the wheel. In her early years, she was never one to be told what to do. From the Jersey cow she protested milking to the grey filly who’s spirit was identical to hers, Rita blazed her own path in this world. She was an accomplished barrel racer atop the grey filly turned mare, Beauty, although her ambitious nature did not always serve her well. On one occasion, during a sisterly display of reining, and Rita not to be outdone, was taken on quite a ride that finally came to a halt at a low-water bridge several miles north that was startling to a couple loiterers to say the least. Even during this time of chaos and panic, Rita pulled herself together, and with a smile on her face, waved at her neighbor and frequent competitor to ensure the impression that she was just out for a ride.

Her early years on the farm and cherished time spent with her ladies of the Edna Round-Up Club prepared her for a diverse career, during which she met more loved and lifelong friends. Rita, not always one for punctuality, prided herself on her ability to make it to work with only one minute to spare. Her drive never ceased, and following the birth of her own daughters, Kari and Kelsey, she strived to be the very best mother she could be. She was the mom that packed a home-cooked lunch in the trademark thermos every day. And brought Kelsey McDonald’s on the many days she “forgot” her lunch. She was the mom that cross-stitched Christmas stockings and would stay up all night preparing custom Halloween costumes and repairing dance uniforms, a skill she learned alongside her mom sewing her own western wear. She was the PTA mom that never missed a school or sporting event, often showing up with baked goods in hand.

There were so many things Rita was proud of in her life, but nothing more than being grammy to her three, beautiful, human granddaughters, Adelyne, Rosilyn and Kaia. She will be dearly missed by us all. Her life may have been short in time, but not in moments. Short in breaths, but not in memories.

Funeral services celebrating Rita’s life will be held Friday, December 16, 2022 at 1pm at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel located at 2405 Woodland Ave., in Coffeyville, Kansas. Rita will be laid to rest at the Restlawn Cemetery following the service. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 15, 2022, also at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel from 6 to 8 pm.  The family has requested memorial contributions be made payable to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and may be left in care of the chapel.  Services will be streamed live under her obituary page at www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com where you may also leave an online condolence or share a memory with the family.  There will also be a luncheon held following services on December 16, 2022 at 3pm at the Valeda Methodist Church where all are welcome.