Rita Charlotte Kuenne

On March 27, 2025, the world lost a rare gem: Rita Kuenne. Rita Charlotte Kuenne was born in Wisconsin, on July 28, 1946.  She met the love of her life, Carl, in Biology class in Concordia College, Milwaukee.  As they dissected a pig together in lab, it was love at first cut.  They were married in 1970.  In 1974, Rita and Carl moved to Littleton, Colorado, with Rita’s parents, George and Lina, who moved in with them.  They raised five beautiful children, Adam, Erika, Brett, Paul, and Jonathan, and later welcomed their children’s significant others into the family, Carlos, Sarah, Brittany, and Bethany, followed by four adorable grandchildren, Elliot, Audrey, Loma, and Lina.  Rita instilled wonder and creativity into her children, and then her grandchildren, through her beautiful view of the world. Whether it was a trip to the fabric store, the grocery store, or the library, Rita was an expert at making the ordinary extraordinary.

 Rita was a lifelong music aficionado who played violin beginning at a young age, sang in church choir, and even incorporated singing into teaching her second graders everything from civil rights to geography.  Teaching was more than a profession for Rita; it was her passion, and it showed.  Rita had the Midas touch when it came to teaching; colleagues sought her advice, students universally adored her, and her classroom radiated joy and wonderment.  Even students who struggled with other teachers or who faced challenges in life thrived with Rita.  She had a magical way of making such children believe in themselves.  Perhaps Rita had such a special connection with children because of her boundless curiosity and love of learning; Rita never stopped learning, even pursuing and obtaining an advanced degree in Early Childhood Education when she was 63.  In her retirement years, Rita turned her attention to caring for her grandchildren and quilting.  Rita passed away peacefully surrounded by family, less than two weeks after Carl went to heaven and less than twenty-four hours after Carl’s Memorial service.  We miss her terribly but have no doubt she is in heaven singing with children and quilting with cherubim and seraphim.    

A Memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025, at St. Philip Lutheran Church, 7531 S. Kendall Blvd. Littleton, CO 80128.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Compassion International, in memory of Rita and Carl Kuenne: https://www.compassion.com/carljohnandritakuenne

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