March 15, 1937 - July 01, 2021
Rita May Schutt Obituary Rita May Schutt was born March 15th, 1937. She was delivered by her father William Schutt right on the family homestead. She was the youngest of four children. Her siblings were Bill, Dorothy, and Barbara. Her mother was Clara. When she was still small the family moved to the Rock House farm in Spokane Valley, Washington. Rita worked hard as a child and teen when she wasn�t at school - taking in washing, weeding for 5 cents a row for neighbors, and sewing to bring in extra money to the family. She also knew how to have fun. She cheerfully recalled reading Doc Swap with her brother Bill and laughing until their sides hurt, and of making bread and pies for the family, especially for holidays. She would ice skate with her sisters on the family pond each winter. She was close to her father and recanted many a time helping him in his shop building and repairing things. She carried this love of her father and of tinkering her entire life. Rita joined the Air Force and served proudly in the communications department. She also enjoyed the travel and social life of her service. Rita was blessed with a son, Clinton Harris Schutt, on June 7, 1957. She lived independently with her son in an apartment and then they moved in with her mother and father at the Skipworth House. Later, she and her son moved to the House on Felts with her mother. Rita helped her parents with the gardening, cooking, cleaning, canning, and more. Holidays were considered a big deal and her siblings would come with their children. More than enough food draped the tables for each season celebration. Rita was blessed with a daughter, Rebekah May Schutt, on January 20th, 1969. Rita continued to raise her children and help with the family homestead chores. For fun she sewed, crocheted, embroidered, cross stitched, beaded and more. She sewed Rebekah new flannel pajamas for every Christmas as a tradition. She shared her love of crime shows, and movies of all kinds. She read used novels by the stack regularly. She made bread every week. Harvest and canning season were always extra busy, as was holiday prep. Rita taught her daughter to read at a very young age, and always provided ample books to enjoy. She taught her daughter her love of all things crafty. She taught her son embroidery, basic handiness, and basic sewing. She volunteered at Broadway Elementary for years and received the Acorn Award for her dedication and service. She also volunteered in the Mormon church library in the Spokane Valley. She pursued a career as well. She worked at the Spokane County Courthouse in the juvenile records department. She worked for the Gonzaga University admissions office until her retirement. She also worked at Westminster Congregational church in a historic building in downtown Spokane for nearly a decade. Then she worked at Opportunity Presbyterian in the Spokane Valley. She also was a live-in manager at the Pearl Street apartments for nearly 15 years. She moved to Lincoln Heights Terrace for her retirement and lived there over 20 years. She lived with her son Clinton the last few months of her life. Rita had a zest for life, and for the people she loved. She was friendly and often kind. She could make the simple moments of life become a delightful adventure. Clinton and Alexis recall countless fun times at secondhand stores, yard sales and bookstores. Browsing for hours, tromping home with stacks of books to enjoy, clothes to try on, household items to polish up and cherish. Rita always made it special and fun. Rita loved going to lunch at buffets with family whenever Clint was able to be up in Spokane. She attended weddings and graduations. Rita never let and opportunity to celebrate with you pass by. Rita loved many kinds of music. Three of her favorites were James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, and Prince. Rita and Alexis spent many a holiday making pies with fancy crusts. Rita wasn�t a big fan of cold weather, but she built an igloo with Alexis. She and Alexis enjoyed ferry trips in western Washington and would go out on the deck in the wind to admire the view and smell the salty air. Rita loved doing puzzles and if you were near her long enough you knew you would end up joining her with a cup of her instant coffee. Everyone very close to her has done puzzles with Rita. Justin and Alexis recall how she would mispronounce certain words and it became an endearing quality. For instance, she said �pacific� for �specific�. Those who loved her had many inside jokes about this but adored her for it all the same. Rita still carried her dad�s handiness throughout her life. She fixed many a lamp or vacuum, built shelves, and often repurposed old furniture. Justin recalled her love of stories. Rita would tell you about a movie or book she liked. She would start out in broad strokes about the plot but end up basically describing the whole thing scene by scene. It felt like a live audio book. The stories were often mysteries or romance. Logan spent many an Easter hunting for eggs with Rita smiley and excited to see what Logan would and would not find. Rita also looked forward to seeing Logan on holidays or lunch out. Rita could make a simple meal feel special. She and Rebekah had a tradition of getting together specifically to enjoy fried zucchini together. Rebekah recalls loving watching Rita do it. She would wash and slice the zucchini with care, dip it carefully in her seasoned flour mixture, and fry it to perfection. It was so delicious and hot. It was worth a burned tongue for a quick taste of Rita�s fried zucchini. Holidays were still a big thing when Rita got older. Clint might now host, or perhaps Rebekah and Justin. But she always wanted to make the peanut butter celery while you busied yourself with other holiday kitchen tasks. Matthew and his family, Thea and her family often attended events in these later years. She would have a big smile on her face watching Justin, Matthew and Logan excitedly talk about gaming while Thea, Kristine, and Rebekah discussed the merits of garlic. Rita was good to her family and gave whatever she could of herself. She was a good friend to many over the years, especially friends at her complex Lincoln Heights Terrace. She gardened an entire hill of flowers and ferns for years for the enjoyment of everyone in her building. Her door was always open to those she loved � no matter what state they were in. She would offer you an instant coffee and a snack and listen to your woes and joys, talking with you for hours. Rita was thoughtful. She would have some treasure near her front door for you when you would visit�something she had usually found second hand�thinking of how it was just perfect for you. A piece of art, a new dress or a coat. The perfect handbag that matched your summer sandals. A baking pan for your kitchen. She did this for family and friends alike. She checked in on many a friend at her retirement complex�bringing food, mail, and cheer. Despite any disappointments life may have sent her way, Rita strode independently and joyfully through her days, thanking God for her blessings and spreading kindness where she could. She was deeply loved and will be forever missed. Rita passed away on July 1, 2021. She is survived by: Clinton Schutt and family, and his daughter Stephanie. Rebekah Wilder Aubertin/Scarlett Stone and family, and her children Matthew, Alexis, Thea, and Logan. Rita also is survived by her great grandchildren, Seth, Xavier, Sebastian, Tristan, and Ember. Also, by all the children of her siblings that remain living. https://www.facebook.com/groups/ritaschutt � To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Rita, please visit our Tree Store
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