Rita Wheeler's Obituary
Rita Lorraine Wheeler returned to her Heavenly Father on October 19, 2022 at age 82. She was surrounded by family, stories and love at Allenmore Hospital in Tacoma, and was at peace after a strong battle against a brief but severe systemic infection complicated by Covid-related pneumonia.
Born July 14, 1940 in Cardston, Alberta, Canada to Vern Leroy and Jennie Wheeler, Rita immigrated with her family to the Puget Sound area at age 11, where her loving dad was vice principal at Stadium High School and mom was a prize-winning baker and server at Tacoma’s iconic Steve’s Gay ‘90s restaurant. Rita led the student newspaper and graduated from Puyallup High School at age 16, often proudly sharing the class cheer, “Our spirit’s high as heaven,1-9-5-7!” She earned a BA degree from Brigham Young University and went on to become a trailblazer in regional journalism, working full time as the only female journeyman reporter in an otherwise all-male newsroom at the Tacoma News Tribune. The stories she told in her reporting became part of her fabric. She later transitioned to freelance writing and editing for a variety of newspapers, magazines, journals, and local businesses and organizations. She advocated for Lakewood incorporation and led historic preservation efforts. Always a believer in lifelong learning, Rita returned to school after age 60 and earned her Masters in Teaching from The Evergreen State College, becoming a multi-age arts specialist at Park Lodge Elementary School in Lakewood, and later a community college English and writing instructor. She was committed to learner-centered education and was masterful at using collaborative and cultural projects to open up new possibilities for her students and to help them think critically about the world. Rita was able to take that perspective to a new group of students at Qingdao University in the province of Shandong, China, many of whom remained much-loved friends after her return to the US. Among those who benefitted from Rita’s skills as a writer and teacher as well as her unshakable sense of commitment were the countless fellow church members with whom she interacted throughout her life. Born into a multi-generational LDS family, Rita was proud of her pioneer and immigrant heritage. She served many roles within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the ward, stake and regional levels, including Sunday School, Primary, and Relief Society teaching and leadership positions, family history and genealogy work, and public relations councils. In all of these callings she worked tirelessly to model what she believed to be true Christlike love and acceptance to those who are too often stigmatized, advocating for immigrant communities, fighting racism, and embracing and accepting her LGBTQ family and friends just as they are.
Rita is survived by her four children, Juan Antonio Trujillo and Lisa Lorraine Trujillo from her first marriage to Jesse Trujillo, and James Wheeler Happy (Melissa Happy) and Emily Elizabeth Happy (Derek Eyring) from her second marriage to the late Cyrus Happy III. She also leaves behind her two beloved grandchildren, Finnegan and Devan Grace. Rita was an example of unconditional love for her family, and for that we are grateful.
To remember Rita, share your story, write it down, waltz around the room, and extend love and kindness every chance you get.
A funeral service will beheld at the Lakewood Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (10018 Farwest Drive SW, Lakewood, WA) at 12 pm on November 12, 2022, followed by a graveside service at Mountain View Cemetery at 2:30 pm.
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