Rita Marie (Blomberg) Lewis Remmert

Rita Marie (Blomberg) Lewis Remmert was born in Manhattan, KS on August 10, 1941 and passed away from cancer on March 7, 2025 in Topeka, KS at the age of 83.

Rita was a loving soul who loved to laugh. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, Olin Remmert, and her daughter, Julie Remmert Helms, both of whom likely had the welcome mat out for her in the great beyond. She was also preceded in death by her brothers Gerald, William Jr., Robert, David, and Donald Blomberg, and her sister Rosie Ehrmann, all of whom undoubtedly are enjoying her arrival party.

Rita's spirit lives on through her daughter, Jeanne; brother-in-law, John Helms, her husband, Robert Lewis; her sister, Karen Dickinson; brothers Mike (Rena) and Max Blomberg (Brenda); grandchildren Megan Eddy (Luke), Mallory Eddy, Mandy Griffin Helms, Alix Helms, Chris Helms, Mackenzi and Autumn Remmert; nieces Nicole Blomberg Johnson, Erica Nolan, and Maggie Large.

Rita graduated from Manhattan High School in May 1959. She worked at several companies over the years including General Foods and Frito Lay. Rita was a devoted member of Westside Christian Church of Topeka, KS for 60 years.

Education was Rita's passion project. She firmly believed that "an investment in knowledge always pays the best interest." She highly valued education and supported her children and grandchildren in their educational aspirations. As a result of her steadfast support, her two daughters and seven grandchildren all attended college, and five grandchildren earned master's degrees. From infancy through adulthood, Rita used various ways to emphasize the importance of education to her children and grandchildren. There were always new puzzles and books at grandma's house for the babies and computer lessons and homework help in elementary school. She participated in school activities, attended every possible sporting event and school performance, bought textbooks and groceries in college, and sponsored professional conference attendance in graduate school.

Rita's thrifty nature was the stuff of family legend. She famously washed and reused Ziplock bags to save a buck and was known to raid the housekeeping cart at hotels for travel shampoos.

So here's to Rita—a woman who lived life with a laugh, loved with her whole heart, and left us all a little richer for having known her. May her stories continue to bring a smile to our faces and may her Ziplock legacy live on in kitchen drawers everywhere.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Westside Christian Church, 432 SW Lindenwood, Topeka, KS 66606.  Memorial services will begin at 10:00 AM Friday, March 14, 2025 at the church.  Burial of her urn will be at Rochester Cemetery.