Rita Marlene Stevens was born March 8, 1952 in Anthony, Kansas, daughter of Elmer Donald and Phyllis Jean (Grasser) Otis.  She grew up in Anthony graduating from Anthony High School with the Class of 1970.

She married Dennis Stevens and from this union she was blessed with her daughter, Angela.  Rita was a very dedicated and loving mother to Angela and the two were almost inseparable until Rita's health began to fail and Angela was able to make her home at Arrowhead West at Medicine Lodge.

Rita worked at Gene's Heartland Foods for many years stocking shelves.  She was a sweet, soft-spoken person who everyone enjoyed visiting with.  In her spare time, she and Angela loved watching movies, going out for pizza, and shopping.

On June 18, 2025, Rita passed away at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas at the age of 73, following a brief battle with cancer.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

Rita will be deeply missed by her daughter, Angela; her brother, Donnie Otis; sister-in-law, Christine Ball; nieces and nephew, Annette Lee, Crystal Hardiman, Christopher Otis, and Elziabeth Mark; great niece and nephews: Chloe and Christian Otis and Kadin Allison; other relatives and friends.

Public viewing will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Monday.

Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at Prairie Rose Funeral Home in Anthony with Pastor Vernon Kampe officiating.  Cremation will take place following the service and a private inurnment will be held at Spring Grove Cemetery, west of Anthony.

Memorials in memory of Rita may be made to Arrowhead West and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.