Rita Russell

DODGE CITY, Kansas – Rita Russell, 77, died Friday, Dec. 9, 2016, at Trinity Manor in Dodge City, surrounded by her children.

She was born Sept. 13, 1939, in Dixon, the daughter of Laverne and Marie Agnes (Kent) Emmert.

Rita was from Illinois and had lived in Dodge City for the past 7 years. Rita enjoyed making arts and crafts and dolls, doing jigsaw puzzles with her grandchildren, baking, drinking her coffee, and she loved being around children. She was a seamstress, and she also worked in the nursing field.

On Feb. 14, 1963, she married Kendall Russell in Rock Falls. He passed away on June 27, 2007.

She is survived by 13 children, Norma Jean Brown and husband, Ron, Sharee Lanning and husband, Leonard, Theresa Emmert, Charles Russell and wife, Connie, Patricia Bear-Stark and companion, Laurie Stark, Sally Jo Bachand and husband, Jay, Victor Russell and wife, Tina, Chuck Drake and wife, Ash-Leigh, Gena Meyo and husband, Norberto, Gary Emmert and wife, Jennifer, Tasha Corbin and husband, David Jr., Latrissa "Jean" Facio and husband, Enrique, and Latisha "Jane" Reinhart and husband, Lucas; two brothers, Gary and Gene Emmert; two sisters, Judy Emmert and Theresa Willett; 55 grandchildren; 37 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She also was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Kent McGonigle and Robert Emmert; two sisters, Shirley Modler and Patricia M. Benkitits; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at a later date in Dixon. There will be no public viewing. Cremation has taken place.

The family suggests memorials to the Rita Russell memorial fund, in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.

Visit zieglerfuneralchapel.com to send condolences.