April 21 1958 December 8 2019
Rita Kay Reichert, 61, of Helena, MT, lost her fight against cancer and passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on December 8th, 2019 . She was born to parents Charles and Effie (St. Claire) Rinehart, on April 21st, 1958 in Medford, WI. Rita graduated from Medford Area Senior High School in 1977 and enjoyed being on the tennis and volleyball teams and other school clubs. She continued her studies at Northcentral Technical College. She started her career as a line worker at Weather Shield and then Phillips Plastics in Medford, eventually working her way up to Regional Safety Coordinator for several plants across Wisconsin over her 15 years with them. In the intervening years she also worked for other manufacturing companies holding the titles for Safety and Quality Control, until her most recent employment for the State of Montana as a Compliance Specialist. She was a dedicated and hardworking employee who took pride in her work and made many friends along the way that she cherished. Her first love, Lee Kallenbach she met in 1980 and their whirlwind romance had them married that same year. Between them they had 3 children, Kelly, Holly, and Lucas. They were married for 17 years before lung cancer took him from her. Her love of the mountains prompted her move to Montana in 2009, where she met her soul mate Richard Reichert. They were married on September 3rd, 2011 in Hot Springs, Montana and enjoyed their short time together before he was suddenly taken from her in May of 2013 from a heart attack. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. They could brighten her smile on even the darkest of days. She enjoyed hunting in the mountains of Montana, shore fishing at Yellowstone Lake, exploring all that Yellowstone National Park had to offer, camping wherever the road would lead, reading a good book, and spending time with her friends and family. She is survived by her children Kelly (Geneveive) Kallenbach, Holly (Bryan) Wendt, Lucas (Lyndsay) Kallenbach, grandsons Tucker, Jasper, and Oliver Wendt, mother Effie Rinehart, siblings Denis (Donna) Rinehart, Aleta (Orlo) Wilcox, Mark (Candy) Rinehart, Reggie Rinehart, Whitney (Aurora) Rinehart, Clinton Rinehart, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Richard Reichert, her father Charles Rinehart, her first husband Lee Kallenbach, as well as her grandparents, aunts and uncles. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for December 13th, from 2-4 pm at Hannaford Street Bible Church located at 830 N Hannaford St Helena, MT 59601. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Rita Reichert please visit our Sympathy Store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Rita Reichert April 21 1958 December 8 2019.
Death notice for the town of: East Helena, state: Montana