Rita Anne Wilson, 68, of Osawatomie, Kan., died Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, at Miami County Medical Center of Paola, Kan. Rita was born in Beagle, Kan., April 11, 1946, to James and Elsie (Loch) Wilson. Rita is the second of four children. When she was born (prematurely, and weighing only about four pounds while wrapped in a heavy blanket and measured on her grandpa’s fishing scales—and we all know fishing scales weigh heavy), the doctor did not believe that she would live more than a few years at best. As a child, Rita attended Special Education classes at Parker Elementary School in Parker, Kan., for a very short time.
In January 1952, Rita went to Parsons State Hospital & Training Center where she remained until June 1961. At this time, Rita moved back home with her family in Parker, Kan. In 1975, Rita began attending Tri-Ko, Inc.’s Work Activity Center, while she remained living with her family. She worked untiringly in the sheltered workshop that her parents were instrumental in starting which now serves a three-county area. Rita continued to attend Tri-Ko, Inc.’s WAC until 1989, when she was discharged from the program, at the request of her parents. In 1993, Rita was readmitted into Work Activity Center.
She refused to retire when she became eligible, because she loved going to work. On March 25, 2000, Rita moved from her family home in Garnett, Kan., into the Garnett Group Home. After her parents moved to Vintage Park in Osawatomie, Rita moved to Osawatomie to continue to be near her parents.
Although she was what used to be called “profoundly retarded,” she touched so many lives. She cared deeply for her family and friends. Her speech was intelligible only to those who knew her well. She had a smile for just about everyone she met. She gave the best hugs and no one could leave without getting one. For many, many years she was the “acolyte” for the First United Methodist Church in Parker, Kan. Rita took great pride in being the one to light the candles on the altar. Rita’s love for Elvis was deep. She was always excited when she bought a new pair of shoes and would show them off. Rita was the biggest advocate in showing off the new babies in the family. Her latest love was watching Nascar Racing and she often called her brother to share the excitement. She will be missed by her family as well as everyone who ever met her. She was one of God’s very special angels on this earth, and now she has her wings for real.
Rita was preceded in death by her father and one sister, Marsha Gae Wilson.
She is survived by her mother ,Elsie Wilson, of Garnett, Kan.; one sister, Carolyn (Charles) Dunlop of Parker, Kan.; one brother, James H. (Linda) Wilson Jr., of Grove, Okla.; and many other family and friends.
Services were held Monday, Dec. 22, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church, Parker, Kan., with burial at the Parker Cemetery. Memorials may be made to: Tri-Ko or First United Methodist Church of Parker and may be sent in care of Eddy Birchard Funeral Home P.O. Box 430, Osawatomie, KS 66064. Condolences may be left at www.eddybirchard.com.
OBITUARIES
Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith ~ 11-19-1935 to 06-07-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Priscilla “Pat” Haney Smith passed away Saturday June 7, 2025, at the Stoneybrook Retirement Community in Manhattan. She was born on Nov. 19, 1935, in Topeka, Kan., to Neil and Gladys (Goldsmith)... [More]
Ron Arbogast ~ 08-31-1946 to 06-05-2025

Linn County News Published July 2, 2025 Ron Arbogast, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, coach, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully at home on June 5, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was 78. Born Aug. 31, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kan.,... [More]
Richard “Dick” Smith ~ 04-18-1942 to 06-22-2025

Linn County News Published June 25, 2025 Richard "Dick" Smith, age 83, formerly of Pleasanton, Kan., passed away in Olathe, Kan., on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, June 27, 2025, at the Pleasanton Cemetery. Contributions... [More]
More Obituaries
- Charles Edwin Sutterby ~ 06-20-1951 to 06-19-2025
- Windfred Allen DeMott ~ 09-15-1940 to 06-07-2025
- Maxine Breuel ~ 11-20-1926 to 06-07-2025
- Richard Paul Henderson ~ 07-26-1950 to 06-01-2025
- Rees Lyle Shattuck 08-31-1931 to 05-26-2025
- Dixie Bradley Wilkerson 10-15-1939 to 05-30-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
- Gary Ray Johnson ~ 03-10-1935 to 05-28-2025
NEWS
NOTICE:

Due to a scheduling conflict, the commissioners will not be meeting today, June 25th, for a second budget workshop. The meeting has been rescheduled for July 2nd.
Tanglewood Lakes files suit against Board of County Commissioners

Requests declaratory judgement that roads are private The Tanglewood Lakes Owners Association, Inc. (TLOA), filed a lawsuit in Linn County District Court on June 6, 2025, against the Linn County Board of County Commissioners requesting a declaratory judgement from... [More]
Case filed alleging exploitation of minors, breach of privacy

On June 20, following an extensive investigation by the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Linn County Attorney’s Office filed a case in district court charging Erik Hellner, a Sugar Valley Lakes resident, with six separate felonies. The case originally stems from... [More]
More News
- La Cygne executes pool bond defeasance
- CANCELED: Statewide Purple Alert issued for missing Yates Center woman
- Parker mayor seeks affidavits to file charges
- USD 346 board learns of overpayments
- NOTICE
- Commissioners discuss estimate on overlay project
- Pleasanton council meeting heated over fire personnel interviews
- La Cygne gas customers may see rate decrease
SPORTS
Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team places seventh at State, Wallace earns State championship

The Pleasanton/Jayhawk trapshooting team traveled to Wichita to compete in the Kansas Trapshooting State tournament. The tournament features more than 110 high schools and over 1,500 student athletes. Pleasanton/Jayhawk compete in the 2A competition which happened on June... [More]
Joey Ewalt impacting youth wrestling here and abroad

Prairie View’s head boys’ wrestling Coach Joey Ewalt does more for the sport than just coaching the Buffalos, he has made an impact on the sport as a wrestler, coach and official. Ewalt began his wrestling career at the very young age of four. His father, Mike Ewalt,... [More]
More Sports
- Pleasanton and Jayhawk baseball on the 2025 All TRL team
- Jayhawk Linn softball has three All TRL unanimous selections
- Trenton Broyles leads Hawks at State track
- Prairie View track earns six medals at State
- Pleasanton’s Gratton wins two golds, sets meet record
- Jayhawk track breaks another school record and qualifies multiple athletes for State
- School records and State qualifiers are made for the Jays at Eureka
- Prairie View track qualifies multiple athletes for State
OBITUARIES POLICY
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Call Barbara at 913-352-6235 or e-mail linncountynewsreporter@gmail.com

