Obituary of Rita Miller

Rita Faye Miller was born on September 10, 1938 in Liberal Kansas, the only child of Arthur and Murrell Wessler. She spent her very early years on the family farm in Kismet, Kansas but in 1943 the family moved to Calhan, Colorado due to health concerns of her father. In 1950 they moved again to Limon, Colorado where she finished school, graduating in 1956. After graduation Rita set out to fulfill her dream of being a nurse by attending school in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She decided to give up her studies to get married and start a family, welcoming one son, Mike who was born in 1958. After her marriage ended she returned home to Limon where she raised her son and became an active member in the community. Having a care giver’s heart she found employment as a nurse’s aide in Evergreen Nursing Home where she worked for many years. She was also employed as the attendance secretary for Limon High School and was regularly seen at sports events cheering on the Badgers. She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church serving such roles as Sunday School Superintendent, substitute organist, and singing in the choir. On a cold winter night she could often be found crocheting an afghan, and during football season she rarely missed watching the Broncos on TV. She loved all kinds of animals and had many dogs and cats over the span of her life. In 1984 Rita moved to Topeka, Kansas and found work as a medical records secretary and clerk at Stormont-Vail Hospital until she retired in 2002. She joined Trinity Lutheran Church where she continued her active service as a member of the choir, going to Bible studies and various church committees. In 1995 she successfully defeated breast cancer and participated in many area events such as “Walk for the Cure”. When her health began to decline she became a resident of Aldersgate Village in Topeka, where she remained until her death on May 27, 2014. Rita was preceded in death by her parents, and her beloved grandson, Steven. She is survived by her son Mike of Cheyenne Wells, Colorado.