Guest Book
I always enjoyed visiting with Rita at the assessor's school and conference. We all missed her when she retired. Rita was a Great Lady! Our prayers are with Rita's family and friends. She will be missed!
~ Darlene Piekkola
Spearfish, SD (8/7/2011)
Dear Patton & Merrill Family,
My prayers and good thoughts go out to all of you at this sad time. Rita was a ray of light and a delight to be around. She will be greatly missed.
May God Bless,
Theresa
~ Theresa Pekron
Westminster, CO (8/7/2011)
Rita was a wonderful lady and it was a privilege to know and work with her in the equalization profession. She will be missed by many. My deepest sympathy to her family.
Joyce Dragseth, Brookings County Equalization Director
~ Joyce Dragseth
Brookings, SD (8/7/2011)
Rita and I were friends through the assessor's assoc. We had wonderful times at conferences & schools. She was a very kind person and always willing to listen and offer advice when asked. I will miss her greatly.
~ Karen Wilcox
1006 S 8th Street, Onida, SD 57564 (8/7/2011)
Rita was a pleasant person to be around. She always took time to visit when we got together at assessor events. She sure will be missed.
~ Shirley Mackey
Buffalo, SD (8/7/2011)
I am so happy that I got to know Rita through our Assessor's conferences and schools. She was always so friendly and I missed her when she retired. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
~ Terri Halls
Hot Springs, SD (8/7/2011)
Rita's Family,
I was shocked to hear of Rita's passing. I enjoyed getting to know her through the equalization profession and enjoyed visiting with her at our functions. I will miss her wisdom she would share with me.
My sympathies,
Carrie Stephenson, Hyde County Director of Equalization
~ Carrie Stephenson
Highmore, SD (8/7/2011)
I knew Rita from the Assessor's Association. She was such a wonderful, kind lady. She always had a kind word and a beautiful smile on her face. She will be missed greatly. I feel blessed knowing her. My sympathy to her family. Allison Jensen, Director of Equalization, Custer County
~ Allison Jensen
Custer, SD (8/7/2011)
How shocking it was to hear that my next door neighbor had passed away. I enjoyed our visits between the lilac bushes and in her yard when she'd show me what she was growing. Whenever she would go to visit you kids, she would always ask me to keep an eye on things for her and I would do the same when I was leaving town. She always had an easy smile for everyone and I will miss that wave that we gave each other whenever we were coming and going. Let me know if you need anything done at her house. I would be happy to help.
~ Crystal Martinez
Philip, SD (8/7/2011)
I just visited with Rita couple of weeks ago about her helping out at the office from time to time. Rita was one of the many people I've meet through the assessors association that right away you say to yourself "yep we could be good friends" and we were. I'll think of her often. May our thoughts be with her family.
~ Tom Nelson
Martin SD (8/7/2011)
So very sorry to hear of your loss...I met Rita like so many of us through our Assessors schools and conferences. I missed seeing her after she retired and always enjoyed her warm and friendly smile! May you find peace in the memories you shared........
~ Sally Filipek
Redfield, SD (8/7/2011)
I met Rita through our assessor's association also. She was such a fun person to be around. She would listen to all my problems and try to help me work them out. Whenever I had a case for OHE she would be right there to see if she could help me in any way. What a great person she was. I still look for her at school and conference! Miss you Rita
~ Cindi Forgey
Gettysburg, SD (8/7/2011)
Rita was a very kind and wonderful person and it was my pleasure to get to know her over the last year and a half. She was a great Director of Equalization, teacher and friend. I will miss her alot !!! Keep shining on.
Kevin Pfeifle
~ Kevin Pfeifle
Philip, SD (8/7/2011)
Rita and I became assessor's at the same time and went to the school's and conferences together, she was an awesome lady. We swapped stories of children and grandkids, she was so proud of them all. I will miss her friendship and her laugh.
~ Cathy Vrbka
Mission, SD (8/7/2011)
Our sympathy and prayers to the family of Rita. She will be missed. May your memories be a source of comfort during this time.
~ Faye Dubbelde
Turner County (8/7/2011)
Rita was an intelligent, fun lady who knew her own mind and wasn't afraid to speak up. I enjoyed getting to know her better this past year. We will all miss her friendship and her smile. Carla & Virgil Smith
~ Carla Smith
Milesville, SD (8/7/2011)
Rita was always enthusiastic and had a ready chuckle. How I will miss her.
~ Bobby Sloat
Philip (8/7/2011)
We are both very shocked and so sorry to read about the loss of Rita! She had a wonderful smile and constitution...ALWAYS so friendly and knowledgeable in her work, but outside of that as well. Our very sincere sympathy to all her family-we will be thinking of you in the days and weeks ahead.
~ Vonda and Jason Hamill
Milesville (8/7/2011)
Rita will be missed by so many, her smile and willingness to help anyone who asked. She left a huge void in the Court House when she retired and now a huge void in our hearts and our community. Our sincere sympathy to all her family.
~ Gary and Julie Nixon
21142 224th Street Philip, SD (8/7/2011)
Our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to all of Rita's loves ones at this sad time. We will be thinking of you.
~ Mike & Shar Moses
Philip (8/7/2011)
Our sympathy and prayers to the family of Rita. She was a very special lady. God Bless.
~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler
2130 Ellen St Sturgis, S.D. (8/7/2011)
I was saddened to hear of the loss of a great lady. She always had a smile and a helping hand. Rita will be truly missed by all who knew her and loved her. My prayers are with you all.
~ Bonnie Fitzgerald
Memphis, TN (8/7/2011)
My heart goes out to Rita's family. Please know that she was one woman who had such a positive effect on those around her! She left a great legacy for her family-one to be very proud of. God bless you all and you are in my prayers.
~ Patsy Freeman
Philip SD (8/7/2011)
Your mom was always friendly and fun to visit with. She will be greatly missed. Remember the good times and memories. God Bless your families.
~ Linda Stilwell
Kadoka (8/7/2011)
I'm so sorry for your loss. Rita was a sister in-law and I remember many good times with her. I lost my mother, Norma Williams two years ago to the day. I'm glad I got to see her at mothers funeral in Wall. God bless you it is a sad loss.
~ Jeneane Morris
Mesa, Az. (8/7/2011)
Words cannot begin to ease the pain of loosing such a vital person. My thoughts and prayers are with Rita's children, grandchildren and all the Pattons-Her smile and laughter is what I will always remember!
~ Sandy Radway Rathbun
Longwood Fl (8/7/2011)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Rita will be greatly missed by her family and her many friends.
~ Nancy Ehrhardt
Brandon SD (8/7/2011)
I'm so glad i happened to see Rita just a couple of weeks ago as i stopped in for one night, for a couple of minutes. She looked so well it was shocking for me to learn she passed. Please accept my condolences.
Christy Fonseca-Graddy
~ Christina Fonseca-Graddy
Gaithersburg, MD (8/7/2011)
What a wonderful person Rita was. She taught me so much about life. I feel very fortunate to have spent as much time with her as I did. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Remember the good times and the times that she made you smile and laugh, because that was the type of person that she was. May God bless Rita and all of you.
~ Maria Jetkoski
Evanston, WY (8/7/2011)
When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure... Author Unknown. Colleen, John and Family we send you love, peace and comfort during this difficult time.
~ Doyle & Linda Stoker
Jackson, Wyoming (8/7/2011)
After high school, we went our separate ways. Perhaps in the late 60s, I ran into her in the parking lot of Lakeside Shopping Center. It was lovely when she moved back to Philip so we saw her much more often. Rita was full of love, life, and good will. There is much to celebrate with the lessons and memories that she instilled in all who passed in her path.
~ Rita & Frank Narcisian
15885 W 52nd Dr., Golden, CO 80403 (8/7/2011)
Our sympathy to the family of Rita, she was a special lady. I enjoyed working with her during the time I was a County Commissioner and she was the Director of Equalization.
~ Lawrence & Ronda Schofield
Midland, SD (8/7/2011)
I wish I had the right words,
just know that I care.
~ Margene Jensen
Jackson Hole, Wyoming (8/7/2011)
I have to say Rita was and will always be my best friend. I just received a birthday card from her, told myself to call her to see how she came through the surgery, only to find out later in the day that she had passed away. My heart goes out to Colleen and John and her family. We traveled many roads together and always had a big laugh at the end of each road. She was so special! I will miss her and her wonderful chuckle.
~ Cathy Linderman
5559 N. Yellowstone, Idaho Falls, ID (8/7/2011)
Being around Rita was always fun. She had a great attitude about enjoying life and I hope I can follow her example. I’m so sad that I won’t get to see her again. I know that all of her friends and family have wonderful memories to treasure and help ease the pain of missing her.
~ Julie Parke
Boise, ID (8/7/2011)
Our thoughts and prayers to Rita's family. We enjoyed visiting with her and keeping in touch with us at Christmas time. She will be greatly missed.
~ Bernie and Marlene King
Mesa, Arizona (8/7/2011)
I am deeply saddened to hear of Rita's passing. She was a good friend that you could always count on. I will never forget her quick wit and beaming smile.... May your memories keep you in the days to come.
~ Lynda Lucas
Spring, TX (8/7/2011)
Dear Patton and Merrill Families,
Sorry to hear of the passing of Rita. Went to high school and Sacred Heart Church with Rita. Always a great smile and friendly word for everyone. A very encouraging person. Saw her from time to time at the high school reunions and followed her work as an Assessor in the Philip paper. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Joe Murphy
~ Joe and Diana Murphy
2847 Utica Circle, Las Vegas, NV 89146 (8/7/2011)