Rita Maxine Mendel was born February 13, 1927 to Walter and Alice Hassler in Graham county Kansas. Rita passed away June 9, 2018 in Wichita Kansas. Rita married Forrest Mendel August 31, 1948, and then moved to Wichita. They had three sons Douglas, Richard, and Robert. Rita and Forrest moved to Denver Colorado in July, 1970. Forrest passed away March 1, 1996. Rita worked at JCPenney's for 27 years, and later moved back to Wichita Kansas in April 2004. She is survived by her sons, Richard and family, and Robert and family; three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Private family services will be held at a later date in Denver, Colorado. Memorials may be sent to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market St., Wichita, KS 67202