Lifelong Goodland, Kansas, resident Rita Marie Erickson, 90, passed away on Friday, March 30, 2018 at Wheat Ridge Acres in Goodland. She was affectionately known as GMa or GG.

Rita was born on October 21, 1927 in Dodge, Nebraska, the daughter of Adolf and Bessie (Stecher) Evert. When Rita was a little girl, the family moved to Goodland. She attended school in Goodland, and graduated from Sherman County High School in 1945. She married Robert Andrew Erickson in Goodland on May 18, 1948. To this union, six children were born. Rita worked at Safeway for many years before retiring, and then worked as a cook for USD 352 at the Grant Jr. High School.

Rita was very active with Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church serving as President of the Ladies Auxiliary, helping deliver communion to the home bound members of the church community. Rita was also a very active member of the Lowell Coleman Post 1133 Ladies Auxiliary, serving as President and Conductress for several years. Rita is most known for her famous cinnamon rolls, crescent rolls and bread, in addition to making pies for the church fair booth.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Robert, son William, sisters Delores, Wilma, Lorena, Dorothy, and brothers LeRoy, Robert John and Norval.

She is survived by her children; Mary Ann (Mike) Elliott of Goodland, KS, Richard (Teresa) Erickson of Tulsa, OK, Barbara (Kent) Whisler of Manhattan, KS, Phillip (Kathy) Erickson of Goodland, KS and Donna (Bob) Hagans of Severance, CO. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and twenty-three great grandchildren, as well as two sisters; Loretta Boyington and Norma Graham.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at 10:00 AM MT at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church with Father Norbert Dlabal officiating. Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery, Goodland, KS.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, with a Vigil and Rosary service to begin at 7:00 PM MT.

Memorials are designated to the Veterans Home of Kansas or to the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Goodland, and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Funeral services are entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland, Kansas.