RITA EWY EDIGER
Rita Ewy Ediger was born March 12, 1952, in Hutchinson, Kan., and grew up on the family farm near Arlington. She attended Fairfield High School, where she earned highest awards for her singing and flute playing.
She married John K. Ediger on May 18, 1974, one day before her graduation from Bethel college, North Newton, Kan., with a major in liberal arts.
She completed three years of graduate study in geography at the University of Kansas. She taught elementary education in the Lawrence and Topeka, Kan., areas for three years.
Her and her husband’s travels took them to Japan, the Soviet Union and western Europe and included a backpack trip through Central America.
Following her husband’s graduation from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, the family moved to Calgary, Alta., where she joined Foothills Mennonite church. She worked as a representative for GBC Canada Ltd., where she earned the national rookie salesperson of the year award.
She chose a simple life and loved music, laughter, travel and the earth. She was committed to her family, friends and church. she loved to entertain and spend time with people. Her spontaneous sense of humor was a joy to those who knew her.
Her breast cancer was diagnosed in October 1987. Several happy and productive years followed. She died at her home Nov. 20, 1990.
In addition to her husband and her three daughters, Lillian, Rosalyn and Diana, she is survived by her parents, Lester and Winifred Ewy of Newton, Kan., and two sisters, Eileen Senner of Los Angeles and Emilie Parks of Hutchinson, Kan.