There are condolences waiting approval on Rita's Tribute wall
Celebrating the life of Rita Kay Rilea
Be the first to share your favorite memory, photo or story of
Rita.
This memorial page is dedicated for family, friends and future generations to celebrate
the life of their loved one.
We ask on behalf of the family that you keep your comments uplifting and appropriate
to help all who come here to find comfort and healing.
Obituary for Rita Kay Rilea
Rita Kay Rilea, 73, of Stuart, Iowa passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at Taylor Hospice House in Des Moines on Sept. 8, 2021. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, September 14th, 2021 at the Johnson Family Funeral Home & Crematory in Stuart. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 15th at All Saints Catholic Church in Stuart. Burial will be in the Brethren Cemetery in Panora. Memorial contributions may be made to the Rita Rilea Memorial Contributions and may be sent in care of Johnson Family Funeral Home & Crematory, PO Box 246, Stuart, Iowa 50250. Online memorials may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Rita was born October 7, 1947 in Atlantic, Iowa to Earl Valman and Garnett Lucille (Quick) Sanny. Growing up Rita moved several times with her family until they settled in Oakland, Iowa where she attended and graduated from Oakland High School with the class of 1965. Rita was united in marriage to Rick Rilea on October 19, 1968, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Council Bluffs. To this union two daughters were born, Tina and Kate. They lived in Yale, Iowa for a short time before making their home in Stuart in 1971 to raise their family. Rita worked for over 30 years at Bell Telephone starting off in customer service and retiring as a business tech support analyst. Following her retirement, she worked at AmericInn before taking the secretarial position at All Saints Catholic Church where she worked for another 10 years with Father Ray Higgins. After retiring for the final time, Rita took up quilting. She enjoyed not only the art of making the quilts, but the socializing and comradery of the quilting guild she belonged to. Rita was a member of the All Saints Catholic Church, the Alter Society, the Pioneers Club through the telephone company, and the local quilt guild. Besides her quilting, she enjoyed sewing, making many drill team costumes for her daughters and their friends, was instrumental in starting after prom within the school district, reading, traveling throughout the United States and abroad, family camping and fishing trips, shopping especially during black Friday’s, playing penny slots at the casino, baking, and family gatherings at Christmas. Rita’s favorite times were spent with her family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents Earl and Garnett, brother David Sanny, two sisters-in-laws Wanda Rilea and Terri Rilea, and mother-in-law Darlyne Quick.
Rita leaves behind to cherish her memory, her beloved husband Rick of Stuart, Iowa, daughters Tina (Kevin) Sullivan of Dexter, Iowa and Kate Miller of West Des Moines, Iowa; siblings Cheryl (Dennis) Hamilton of Oakland, Iowa, Joe Sanny of Omaha, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Karin Sanny of Oakland, Iowa; grandchildren Tony Sullivan of St. Paul, Minnesota, Janel Sullivan (Chad Stiles) of Dexter, Iowa, Olivia (A.J.) Ostrander of West Des Moines, Iowa, Meagan Sullivan of Dexter, Iowa and James Sullivan of Stuart, Iowa; great grandsons Dawson Sullivan of Dexter, Iowa and Quinton Sweeney of West Des Moines, Iowa; brother-in-law Mark Rilea of Chariton, Iowa, sisters-in-law Michelle (Dave) Willenborg of Elkorn, Nebraska and Dana (Doug) Millaway of Avon, Minnesota and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends all of whom will miss her greatly.
