In Memory Of
Rita Merle Shelton
1926
2023
Rita Merle Shelton
May 31, 1926 — April 22, 2023
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
To leave a message for Rita's family, or to share a special memory, click on the "Share Memories" button above.
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
To leave a message for Rita's family, or to share a special memory, click on the "Share Memories" button above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rita Merle Shelton, please visit our flower store.
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