Rita Merle Shelton, 96, of Olathe, passed away on April 22, 2023, with
loving family at her side. Mother indicated her greatest and most
loving accomplishment was her three daughters. Although she loved her
family beyond measure, she definitely touched the life of many other
family and friends.
She was born on May 31, 1926, to
William and Blanche (Brosa) Thompson at Moorcroft, WY. At an early age,
Rita moved to Norton, Kansas, with her parents where she grew up and
attended Norton schools.
Rita was united in marriage to James P.
Shelton in Goodland, Kansas. To this union, three daughters were born,
Wilma Wilcox, Jody Stephen and Jeannie Peterson. Rita and James made
their home in Norton until 1972.
Rita returned to Norton High
School to complete her work and graduated in 1965. Later she attended
Fort Hays State College to take courses in Library Science. In 1975,
she became Librarian at the Norton Public Library. She worked there for
13 years.
In October of 1983, Rita and James made their way to
Olathe, Kansas, where they retired to be with their three daughters and
families. They eventually moved to live with their daughter, Jeannie and
husband, Larry, as extra care was needed.
Rita loved to
travel. She traveled extensively in the United States, Europe and Saudi
Arabia and celebrated when she made it to all 50 states. She was a
member of the First Baptist Church, Ladies Reading Circle Federated
Study Club, Salvation Army Auxiliary, a Johnson County Extension
Homemaker’s Unit, and Rebekah Lodge. With her love of books, she was an
active member of the Friends Group at the Olathe Public Library, and
with her faith in God, she was always active and supportive in her
church.
Rita is survived by her loving daughters, Jeannie
(Larry) Peterson, Jody (Jim) Stephen, and Wilma Wilcox, grandchildren,
Jeremy Peterson, Erica Del Monaco and David Wilcox, great grandchildren,
Elle Peterson and Hayden and Harper Del Monaco. She was preceded in
death by her parents, her husband, James Shelton, in 2013 and her
siblings, Margaret and David.
Private family services will be held.
Memorials are suggested to the Friends of the Library or First Baptist Church in Olathe, Kansas.