Rita Annette Varner, 74, passed away on June 15, 2017. She was born on April 16, 1943 in Richland Center, WI. Rita moved to Phoenix, AZ as a child, but she always kept Richland Center in her heart. She spent her life dedicated to her family and always put others first. She was kind-hearted, thoughtful and giving to all of those she loved. She was the beloved wife of the late Carl Lynn Varner, devoted mother of Chris (Kim) Varner and Shawn (Noelle) Varner; proud grandmother of her four grandchildren: Kelsey (23), Cole (17), Shelby (17) and Sydney (13); also a dear sister to Peggy Coleman of Rimrock, AZ. After Rita and Carl married in 1964, they raised their family in Glendale, AZ where she stayed until moving to Gilbert, AZ in 2012 to be closer to her sons and grandchildren. Funeral services will begin Thursday, June 22 at 9:30 AM preceded by a visitation at 9 AM at Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery in Scottsdale.