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Rita Ness Obituary
Rita was born on November 20, 1950, in Lewistown, Montana, to Mickelon and William Britzius.
On October 15, 2012, Rita's long struggle with brain cancer ended, and she died peacefully at home in Gig Harbor, Washington, with her family at her side.
Rita is survived by her husband of 41 years, Mark Ness; children Travis Ness and his wife, Danielle, Amanda Cyrier and her husband, Will. She leaves behind four beautiful grandchildren, Lincoln, Evan, Garrison and Estelle. She is also survived by five siblings and an extended family.
Rita placed her faith and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior on May 27, 1988. He has redeemed her, claimed her for His own and brought her near. Her new address is in Heaven where we are certain we will see her again; and together, will worship God for all eternity.
Our hearts are broken, having lost the nearness of this beautiful person. Her life was characterized by love, forgiveness, strength, hope, commitment, joy, faithfulness, beauty, leadership, compassion, patience and a heart of serving others. She was a peacemaker. Rita's life and death brought glory to God.
We will miss her and love her, always. 143
A memorial service to celebrate Rita's life will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at Believers Fellowship Church, 4112 Hunt Street NW Gig Harbor WA 98335. Phone 253-851-9286.
Please, any donations may be made in Rita's name, to Campus Crusade For Christ, in support of Stephanie Sauter at the University of Montana OR to Kathi Goertzen Foundation at kathigoertzen.com.
Condolences may be posted online at www.gftribune.com/obituaries.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Rita Ness
Sponsored by Her Loving Family 143.
Mark
June 4, 2024
So much time has gone by so much heartache. I miss you. Wish you could be here and be the peacemaker you always were. I often wonder what these last years would´ve been like had you lived. What a void you left behind. I praise God for your faith in Jesus Christ and I know I will see you again 143.
Mark
July 1, 2022
Always missing you. Coming up on 10 years. So much has happened. Grace is needed.
" Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life."
Psalm 143:8
Estelle Ness
May 2, 2022
her spirit will always live in my heart.
Lisa Peterson
September 17, 2013
Mark & Family, My family & I stayed in cabin 10b. We read your entry in the guest book. Our hearts were so touched by your words. Thank you for sharing. We are praying for you and your family.
The Peterson family
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Michael Harvey
November 27, 2012
Mark and family, I was so sorry to hear of your loss, I'm also sorry that I could not be around for the memorial as well.
We all will miss Rita, and I hope you can find so comfort now that a little time has passed.
If only the world was filled with people like Rita and you too Mark, it would be a much kinder and gentler place!
Sandra Jerke
November 5, 2012
Mark,
We extend our sympathy to you and your family at the loss of your loved one.
May you be blessed with strength and be comforted by memories of joy with Rita.
October 31, 2012
Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. My all the memories that your family shares warm your hearts in the coming years. Steve & Wilma Childers
Dick Spall
October 29, 2012
Hi Mark,
Please accept my condolences for your loss. I am so sorry for you and your family. While we have not been in touch for many years, I have thought of you and you are certainly in my prayers this week. God bless you and your family.
Aubrey and Denise Robertson
October 29, 2012
Mark, Amanda and Travis
We are thankful that we had the opportunity to join you in the celebration of Rita's life. In the 20 years we've known her we've never seen her without that trademark smile of hers. There is less joy in the neighborhood now that she has moved on and she'll be sorely missed. May God bless you all. Love Robbie and Denise
Diane Ganey
October 28, 2012
Mark, Travis, and Amanda,
I am so sorry to hear about Rita. She was always such a positive person with a beautiful smile. I remember her as a voracious reader. Most importantly, I admired her as a loving mother and devoted wife. Mark, the two of you truly had a blessed relationship, and one to be emulated. The attributes used to describe her are those many of us hope to have as our legacy. I am happy for the joy Rita is experiencing now, but so sorry for your loss. May He bring you comfort and peace. Please know I wanted to come to the memorial, but have been sick with a cold. Again, I am so sorry and you are all in my prayers.
Randy & Cindy Thrasher
October 27, 2012
Mark and Family,
We were so sorry to hear of your loss of your beloved Rita. Our prayers are with you as well as our rejoicing as she is now experiencing the glories of heaven. May God strengthen you and bless you richly.
Taire Sintay
October 26, 2012
Mark and family....sending abundance of love & energy. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Nancy and Bill Schade
October 26, 2012
Mark, Thank you for sharing all your adventures with Rita. It was great to get to know her thru your stories and family photos. We know you all will miss her very much but will be able to keep her alive by sharing your memories until the day we all are joined together in heaven with our Lord and Savior. Blessings to all the family.
Brett Casey
October 25, 2012
Mark, Travis, and Amanda my condolences go out to you and the rest of your family. Rita was always so nice when she was helping out with youth group and other church gatherings while I was growing up at Believers. What a joy we can say that because Rita put her faith in the cross that we can declare she is perfectly happy now worshipping God.
Brett Casey, Gig Harbor WA
Ed Wolfe
October 25, 2012
Mark, Travis, and Mandy...I am so sorry for your loss...Rita was like a second mother to me and my heart hurts today along with you and the rest of the Ness family. We have so many memories together which will ensure that she will always remain in our thoughts and prayers...she will be missed! With much love, Ed, Tami, Haley, Jaden, and Noah...
Scott Blount
October 23, 2012
Mark, I am so sorry about this heartbreaking loss. What a wonderful 41 years you must have had with Rita. Our prayers are with you and the rest of your family.
Rayna Yatsko Joshu
October 21, 2012
To Mark and family: I remember Rita as a classmate at Central High School here in Great Falls. She was always pretty, smart, and talented. I am glad she had a loving husband and family that was with her thru this journey. My sympathy to you all.
Matt & Angie Vincent
October 20, 2012
Rita was a shining light for Jesus. And now she is rejoicing with Him!
Thank you for always showing us love & support. We will miss you.
Karen Kuntz-Grove
October 19, 2012
Rita always was a beautiful person. She will be missed. Thoughts are will the family.
October 18, 2012
We have been so moved by the people who love this obviously incredible lady! what a beautiful testimony she has left us. our prayers are with her family and friends. -the Flores family
October 18, 2012
Our family loved Rita, and are so grateful to have had such wonderful, sweet memories with her and Mark and Amanda and Travis, while living across the street some 20 years ago. We loved her faith, joy, love and grace. Her commitment to her Lord and family were encouraging to all. She has left a legacy for the Lord. May God pour out His amazing peace and blessings of comfort on your entire family. Praying for you. Sadly we will miss her service, as we will be with Olivia for parents weekend at Whitworth. We send lot of love, Lisa, Larry, Olivia and Caroline XOXOX
Kattie Jones
October 18, 2012
Rita,
You were a part of my life growing up and I am so sad to see you go. Thank you for sending me cards and letters when I was on Work Crew in High School helping me with my flowers for our wedding and for sending me your old camera when mine drowned. I love the fact that I have old emails from you explaining how to use it. I will miss you!
October 18, 2012
Mark and Family, I am so sorry to hear about Ritas passing. Just a beautiful and kind person. My thoughts are with you and will always remember her great laugh and smile. We had some good times in the past and will always cherish those memories.
Friend, Roger Schneider
Rachel Miletich
October 18, 2012
Our sweet Rita is dancing with angels! I cannot wait to be able to see her beautiful face again!
October 17, 2012
Mark & family,
I was so sorry to hear of your loss of Rita. You're in our thoughts & prayers. Seeing your names again brought back memories of when we were all in high school at Central & I hope your wonderful memories with Rita will bring you comfort in the days to come. Take care, Mark.
Cathy Moran Zolman
Melodee Dahl
October 17, 2012
Dearest Mark and family
We are so sorry for your loss. Rita was such a lovely person . She will be dearily missed. Max and Melodee Dahl
October 17, 2012
Rita will be missed by so many. I wish I could be there to celebrate her life on Oct. 27, but physically impossible for me. Know you All are in my thoughts and Prayers. With Love and Blessings, (Cousin) Dana Ridgeway Kirkmeyer and Husband, Ken Kirkmeyer.
Steve & Krista Fenton
October 17, 2012
Dear Mark. Our hearts break for you and yet we have the confidence that Rita is in the caring hands of her Savior. Your life long love affair with Rita inspired countless marriages over the years and rest assured that this life is but a vapor and you will be reunited soon and for all eternity.
October 17, 2012
Mark and Family,
Rita will always be a ray of sunshine smiling down upon each of you. What a beautiful person and I know you will cherish your wonderful memories.
God Bless each of you during this time.
Ann Ryan Druce
Kathy Tesch
October 17, 2012
I have so many fond high school memories of Rita...what a lovely person!
October 17, 2012
Mark & Family: My condolences to you and your family. Rita could always light up a room when she entered with her smile and presence...Suzie Walsh
Pat & Bob Wolf
October 17, 2012
Dear Mark, We are very sorry to hear this news. You and you family will be in our thoughts and prayers for many days.
God bless you. Pat & Bob Wolf
patrick fflaherty
October 17, 2012
Mark and family...what a shocker...i was born in 1950, same year as Rita. There is also a Rita Theisen married to a Rick Ness and when I finally read through this, I share your sorrow at the loss of a beautiful spouse, friend and mother and grandmother, but know that to our Lord Jesus precious in His eyes is the death of His saint. pat flaherty
Don Lundgren
October 17, 2012
Dear Mark and Family,
My heart is filled with tears for all of you today. I just got in touch with you Mark a month ago after nearly 40 years and now we've all lost your precious Rita. I know that anything I put into words cannot even begin to dull your pain. Please know Mark that I love you my friend and that my prayers are with you, your family and most of all Rita. She was such a beautiful soul. I'll talk to you soon Mark. Love and peace my friend.
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