DODGE CITY - Beloved mother, sister, grandma, and aunt, Rita Harper, 70, passed away on April 7, 2026, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, KS. She was born in Spearville, KS, to Virgil E. and Mary Juanita (Juttner) Powers, graduating from Dodge City Senior High School in 1974. Rita worked at Land O'Lakes until her retirement.

Rita married Donny Harper on October 11, 2002, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe; he preceded her in death. She later found her partner, Daren Wright. She is survived by her partner Daren Wright, son Shawn Mead, stepdaughters Kodi (Brandon) Casey, Rachael (Joshua) Alexander, stepson Travis (Marlie) Harper, and Reegan (Ashten) Wright Kliesen. Rita is deeply loved and is survived by her grandchildren, Samuel Mead, Julia Mead, Brady Casey, Quinn Casey, Rylee Harper, Ashur Alexander, Abigail Alexander, and fur babies Sophie and Krissy. Rita is also survived by her brothers Dale Powers, Garden City, Kansas, Don (Cynthia) Powers, Wichita, Kansas, brother-in-law Dallas Schulte, and numerous nieces, nephews, and relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Donny, brother Virgil Eugene, sister Maxine, brother and sister-in-law Ken and Peggy Powers, sister Peggy Schulte, and step grandson Cooper Casey.

Vigil service will be at 7:00 pm Thursday, April 16, 2026 at St. Andrew Catholic Church, Wright.  Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Friday at the church with Fr. Ted Stoecklein presiding.  Burial will follow in the St. Andrew Cemetery, Wright. There will be no public viewing as cremation has taken place. Friends and family may sign the register book from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please make contributions to the Cancer Center of Kansas, SWKS K9 Pawsibilities, VFW Post 1714 Canteen, or St. Andrew Catholic Church all in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.