Rita Aileene Kelly Wurtz

Rita Aileene Kelly Wurtz, 79 of Emporia, Kansas passed away peacefully Saturday December 1 ^st , 2018 in her home surrounded by her family after a courageous battle against adenocarcinoma.

Rita was born January 2 ^nd , 1939 in King City, Missouri, the daughter of the late James Patrick Kelly and Mary Josephine Fisher Kelly. She graduated from Mt. Saint Scholastica Academy in 1957, Mt. Saint Scholastica College with a bachelors degree in 1961, and Emporia State University with a Masters of Library Science in 1975. Rita began her career in teaching in Kansas City, later teaching in Omaha, NE, Topeka, KS, and retired as the librarian at Village Elementary and Walnut Elementary schools in Emporia. She worked as an educator for nearly thirty-five years. Rita was an avid reader and member of numerous book clubs. Her knowledge of children’s literature and uncanny ability to remember just what type of book individual students liked was incredible. Rita was a very involved member of her community and well known for her graciousness, hospitality, and willingness to always help those in need. She was an active member of the Didde Catholic Campus Center where she was an Eucharistic Minister and frequent volunteer. She also was Co-President of Altrusa, past President of P.E.O Chapter HY, member of her gourmet culinary group, doubles tennis group, an honored Master Gardner, literacy volunteer, and was generous with donating her time and talents to others. She will be remembered by all for being a welcoming hostess, her delicious cinnamon rolls, banana and poppy seed bread, and her beautiful garden. Her Christmas open house will be missed by all. Rita will be best remembered and most missed for being the world’s greatest mom and grandma.

Rita is survived by her former spouse, Philip J. Wurtz, Ph.D., and their daughters Anne Passino, Ph.D. (Kevin Passino, Ph.D.) of OH, Mary Vanderman MSW (Guy Vanderman) of KS, Laura Wurtz Foyle, Ph.D. (Doug Foyle, Ph.D.) of CT, and their son Kelly Wurtz, Ph.D. of Washington D.C., her brother, Brother Mark Kelly of MN, sisters, Mary Margaret Kelly of CA, Sister Jane Kelly of AL, and Sister Anne Kelly of MO, and her grandchildren, Carina, Juliana, Jacob, and Zacarias Passino, Nikolas and Caitlin Vanderman, Annika Vanderman-Kelly, Jackson and Elisia Foyle, and great-grandson Elijah Pushcar. Rita was preceded in death by her parents, and brothers Joseph Kelly and James B. Kelly.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3:00 P.M. Friday, December 7 ^th , 2018 at the Didde Catholic Campus Center of ESU at 1415 Merchant Street in Emporia, KS. Father Nick Blaha of the Didde CCC and Father Charles Tobin of the Conception Seminary in Conception, MO will be Concelebrants. The family will receive visitors from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. Friday, December 7, 2018 at the Didde CCC. The rosary will begin at 2:00 P.M. Interment is at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, December 8 ^th , 2018 at St. Patrick Cemetery in Ford City, MO.

Memorial contributions may be made to Altrusa, the local chapter for literacy, women, and children and sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home.