Rita Marie (Geist) Cassatt, age 88, of Hays, Kansas passed away Sunday, December 15, 2019 in Hays. She was born April 14, 1931 in Victoria, Kansas to Jacob James and Aloyisa Louise (Koerner) Geist. On March 27, 1951 she married Donovan Emil Cassatt in Victoria. He preceded her in death May 9, 2015.
Rita had worked in Food Preparation and as a PARA at various local schools. and volunteered at the ARK in Hays and Save N Share in McPherson. She enjoyed playing Bridge, Sewing and fishing. She attended St. Nicholas of Myra Church in Hays.
She is survived by four daughters, Janet Jones of Tucson, AZ, Deborah Reece and husband Ed of Farmington, NM, Tamara Streit and husband Victor of Salina and Donna Ward and husband Dave of Hays; nine grandchildren, Bryan (Yuka Matsugu)Jones, Derrick Jones, Joshua (Ali) Cassatt, Levi (Trisha) Reece, Christopher Reece, Austin Streit, Jenna (Chris) Miller, Tara (Aaron) Gillespie and Jaclynn Ward; five great grandchildren, Beatrice Cassatt, Alex Miller, Evelyn Miller, Jackson Gillespie and Greyson Gillespie as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, John, Eugene, Rudolph, infant Robert, and Wilfred Geist and sisters, Josephine Weigel, Martina Pfeifer, Felicitas Malsom, infant Eleanor Geist, Eleanor Schmeidler, Melosyna Stecklein and Rosalina Schmidt.
Funeral services will be 11 AM Friday, December 20, 2019 at The Basilica of St. Fidelis in Victoria. Inurnment will follow in St. Fidelis Cemetery.
Memorial visitation will be Thursday 6 PM - 8 PM with a combined parish vigil and rosary at 7 PM all at The Basilica of St. Fidelis. Arrangements in care of Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.
Memorials are suggested to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia Motherhouse.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected]