Rita Ramirez

Rita Ramirez, 81, of Wichita, passed away Thursday, March 30, 2023.  She was born in Topeka to Rafael and Jennie Mendez.  She was the second of seven children – Ralph Mendez, Juanita Wilson (Roger), John Mendez (Carol), Michael Mendez, Richard Mendez and Virginia Mendez.

She graduated from Topeka High and attended Washburn University.  She worked as a Collector retiring after 25 years from Credit Union One of Kansas in 2009. 

Rita was a lifelong Catholic and while in Topeka she was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and later Christ the King Catholic Church.  She was a member of Glory to God Prayer Group for 30 years.  She was a member of Our Lady of the Presentation Catholic Church in Lee’s Summit before moving to Wichita and was a member of Living Word Outreach in Wichita.  She went on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje Yugoslavia.  She served a mission in Guatemala.  She worked as a voter precinct committee person in both Topeka and Wichita.  She was an advocate for the unborn and marched for the pro-life movement for over 30 years. She worked for the Topeka Women’s Shelter serving young and pregnant women.  She was a member of Stand-Up Kansas and Culture Shield of Kansas.  Rita volunteered at Bread of Life Food Ministry and Garments of Praise.  She enjoyed making Mexican food and entertaining her family and friends.  Rita will be remembered lovingly by her family as the “Traveling Grandmother”.

She is survived by her daughters:  Tina Tetuan and Tamara Shaw (Kevin) and daughter-in-law Emily Wiseman; Grandchildren: Nicholas Murphy, Alicia Hadfield (Mike), Jordan Jenkins, Victor Tetuan (Amanda), Chantal Weber (Todd), Alexandria Golik (Aaron), Brenden Knepper, Treyton Ramirez, Siana Ramirez; Great-Grandchildren: Brooklyn Moore, Bryson Hadfield, Gabrielle Murphy, Raphael Tetuan, Clara Tetuan and Maya Jenkins.

Preceding her in death are:  Daughter, Pamela Murphy-Ramirez, Son, Eduardo Ramirez, Jr., Parents Rafael and Jennie Mendez, Brothers, Raphael Mendez and Richard Mendez.

Rita will lie in state at the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 5th from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. where a sharing of memories will be at 5:30 p.m. and a Parish Rosary will be prayed at 6:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 6th at 9:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.  Interment will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave, Topeka KS 66603.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M., on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Living Word Outreach, 1513 E. Galena St., Wichita, KS 67216.  Services will be officiated by Pastors Deena and Matthew Hudson.

Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.