Rita Fae Dreiling, 90, of Russell, passed away on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the Homestead Assisted Living Center in Russell with her children by her side.

She was born July 15, 1936, in Codell, Kansas, the daughter of Herman B. and Eva Pauline (Hoiser) John.

She grew up in the Natoma area and graduated from Natoma High School. She married Clarence Graf on August 16, 1955, in Victoria. From this union, Rita and Clarence were blessed with four children: John, Mark, Brad, and Kim. Clarence preceded her in death on June 22, 2003. Rita found love a second time and married Norb Dreiling on April 24, 2004, in Russell. Norb preceded her in death on July 15, 2008.

Rita sold Avon for several years and served as a district manager for two years. She worked as a manager and waitress for the Victoria V.F.W. and served as a VFW Auxiliary District President. She owned and operated Boxberger Liquor Store for four years and later worked at the Liquor Station in Russell for many years.

Rita enjoyed living and working in the Russell community. Her community included St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church, RCCW, PVP Mortuary, Southwind Bank, the Nex-Tech office, the clinic at Russell Regional Medical Center, Casey’s, Klemas, the south Dollar General, and her residence at Homestead of Russell. Her 17-year job with PVP Mortuary allowed her to frequent businesses in Russell while delivering funeral notices. She also hosted numerous visitation services for “the fellas” at PVP. Rita was proud of her family readily sharing where they lived and what they were doing. She had an infectious, sometimes wry smile and was always willing and eager to talk with both new and old friends about what was happening in her life, and theirs too. Her hobbies included visiting family and friends, sewing, cooking, and watching football, basketball, and baseball on television. Until recently, she would travel to see her children and grandchildren in Lone Star, Texas; Tulsa/Jenks, Oklahoma; and Ottawa, Kansas. Miss Rita will be missed and remembered.

Surviving family include her son Brad Graf (Michelle) of Ottawa; daughter Kim Sly (Jim) of Lone Star, Texas; sister, Connie Sloan of Wyoming; daughter-in-law, Teresa Graf of Jenks, Okla.: grandchildren, Jori Bellas (Daniel), Reggie Graf, Taylor Graf (Lyla), Kristi Sly-Ruth (Liam), Matt Sly (Courtney), Sandra Wright, Luci Weaver and Gracie Hutchison (Daniel); great-grandchildren, Everett Bellas, Nora Bellas, Violet Graf, Kooper Sly-Ruth, Kodi Sly-Ruth, Stella Angel, Samson Angel, Hank Hutchison, and Callum Hutchison; and many nieces and nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Clarence Graf and Norbert Dreiling; sons John and Mark Graf; brothers Ernest, Walter, Arnold, and Donald John; sisters Dorothy Wait, Ruth Lozar, Eileen Butcher, and infant brother Darrell John and infant sister Juanita John and granddaughter Martha Graf.

The Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 1, 2026, at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church of Russell. The graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday at St. Fidelis Catholic Cemetery in Victoria.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.