Rita May Schott

Rita May Schott (née Reardenz) Age 86, of Essex, IL, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, June 22, 2026. Rita was born on December 27, 1939, at the family home in Bonfield, IL, to Henry and Edith (née Merrill) Reardenz. On November 20, 1957, she married Keith Schott in Herscher, IL, and together they shared 50 years of marriage until his passing on June 16, 2008. A devoted homemaker, Rita's life was centered around her family. She was always caring for those she loved and found joy in spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Throughout the years, she also worked as a waitress at the Acre Inn and later at Nonna & Pop's in Essex, as well as a receptionist at Med-Peds in Kankakee. Rita was very involved with the Essex Grade School PTA and remained a lifetime member of Zion Lutheran Church in Bonfield. She enjoyed sewing and was known for the many costumes she made for her grandchildren. She also made clothing and took great pride in her creativity and talent. Rita loved to bake and became well known among family and friends for her pie crusts, crescent rolls, and the boxes of Christmas goodies she prepared each year, especially her homemade caramels. She also loved bowling and bowled for many years. She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States to visit family and was grateful for the opportunity to see Niagara Falls, a destination that had long been on her bucket list. Rita was especially proud to be a longtime member of Cloud 9 Ranch in Missouri. Through the years, she enjoyed camping there and looked forward to the friendships, adventures, and memories that came with being part of the Cloud 9 community. Left to cherish her memory are her five children, Kevin (Belinda) Schott of Vancouver, WA, Lisa (Michael) Johnson of Essex, IL, Lynn (Chris) Lochner of Essex, IL, Kraig (Bunny) Schott of Marseilles, IL, and Kerry (Jessica) Schott of Essex, IL; 20 adored grandchildren; 15 treasured great-grandchildren; her sister, Gay (Lester) Howard and brother, Eugene (Margaret) Reardenz, both of Kankakee, IL; and her beloved cat, River, and parakeet, Bluey. Rita was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Keith Schott; her son, Kerry E. Schott; her grandchildren, Kristopher Schott and Kaelyn Schott; and her siblings, Charles Laverne Reardenz, Nancy Siedentop, and Carl Reardenz. Visitation will be held at R.W. Patterson Funeral Home & Crematory, Braidwood, on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., with Pastor Dwight Wyeth officiating. Interment will immediately follow at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Bonfield, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Rita's name may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church. To share memories or offer condolences, please visit Rita’s online guestbook at www.rwpattersonfuneralhomes.com or find us on Facebook.

Rita May Schott

December 27, 1939 - June 22, 2026

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Rita May Schott

December 27, 1939 - June 22, 2026

What We Do

Local Florists

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About Us

Plan Ahead

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

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