Rita Dixon

Rita F Dixon age 73 of Howard passed away on July 17, 2020 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Rita was born in Winfield on April 10, 1947 to Newell “Cherry” and Fern (Stewart) Douglas. She attended Grenola schools and graduated from Grenola High School. She continued her education at Emporia State University. She met Jim Dixon and the couple was united in marriage on March 9, 1971. They were blessed with two daughters and a son before they later divorced. Rita was the definition of a farm wife, she took care of all the needs of the farm and raising the children. She loved spending time with her children and making sure everyone had what they needed. Rita found employment as a caregiver at the Winfield Nursing Home, a bus driver for the West Elk School District, New Beginnings, EMT for Elk County, and as a dispatcher for the Elk County Sheriff’s Office. When she wasn’t working, she enjoyed sewing, painting, crocheting and attending her children’s activities and later her grandchildren’s events. Rita loved her dogs, more like children to her they were a major part of her life. Rita could be found at one of the local restaurants visiting with friends over coffee. She was one to always have a smile and bring out the best in her friends. Rita was never a stranger; she could have a lengthy conversation with someone she had never met. Rita was a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary and the Royal Neighbors of America.

Rita’s memories will live on with her children, Curtis Dixon, Julia Fechter her husband Richard, Kristy Hanks her husband Doug, grandchildren Rocky Hanks, Wyatt Fechter, Peyton Fechter, Gypsy Hanks, and Richard Hanks his wife Nicole, great-grandchildren Malcom Raynor, Remington Hanks and River Boetefuer,  many cousins and dear friends.

She now rests with her parents and her aunt Lorene Douglas.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at 10:00am at the Howard United Methodist Church. Friends are invited to sign the register and greet the family on Monday, July 20, 2020 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the church. The family suggests memorials be made payable to the Women’s Auxiliary Scholarship fund and they may be sent in care of Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel 2405 Woodland Ave. Coffeyville, KS 67337. To share a memory or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com