Rita Ruth Reed was born May 22, 1928, near Dover, Okla., to Carl F. and Ruth Mary (Hottenstein) Davis. She grew up and attended schools in the Hennessy and Dover, Okla., area, graduating from Dover High School in 1946. Rita attended Oklahoma College for Women and Saint Anthony Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1950 with a degree in nursing. She worked as a registered nurse in hospitals at Stillwater, Okla.; Tracy, Calif.; Wagner, S.D.; Craig, Colo., and Deadwood, S.D.On Aug. 30, 1952, Rita married Floyd W. Reed in Reno, Nev. They lived and worked in Tracy, Calif., and in 1954 moved to Pickstown, S.D. where they lived until 1979 when they moved to Craig. In 1984, they retired and moved to their acreage in the Rochford, S.D., area. In 2004, they moved near Rapid City, S.D., and later to Mitchell, S.D., in October 2009.
Rita and Floyd were members of and attended the Little White Church in Hill City for 25 years. Rita participated in Bible studies and circle meetings before her health made it not possible. After moving to Mitchell in 2009, Rita will always be remembered for her sweet and gentle nature, unconditional love and her never complaining spirit, even in spite of her physical limitations.
Rita, 87, of Mitchell, died Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015, at Avera Brady Health and Rehab in Mitchell.
She is survived by her children, Bill (Mary) Reed of Gillette, Wyo., Pamela (Delbert) Rippe of Mitchell, Jeff Reed of Gillette, Marcia (Wade) More of Gillette; sister-in-law Doris Reed of Stillwater; six grandsons, Jason (Angel) Reed, Brian (Becky) Rippe, Jordan (Lindy) Rippe, Greg (Sharon) More, Chris More, Danny (Heather) Reed; seven great-grandsons; and four great-granddaughters.
Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd, in 2012; her parents; son, David Allen Reed at birth; granddaughter, Jennifer Lynn Reed; grandson, Kevin John Rippe; and brothers, Leslie Ray and Donald Douglas Davis.
Funeral services were Oct. 9 at the Little White Church in Hill City. Burial followed at Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, S.D.
A memorial fund has been established to Avera Brady Health and Rehab.