Rita Marie (Hewitt) Kellenberger, 52
Rita Marie (Hewitt) Kellenberger, 52, died Tuesday, May 8, 2007, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center. She was born May 5, 1955, in Helena, the daughter of Thomas L. and Dorothy F. Hewitt.
Rita was raised in the Flathead and was a graduate of Flathead High School. Rita had her first child, a son, Joel, and seven years later had her daughter, Jessica.
She received her associate's degree from Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell. Rita worked in Missoula as a counselor for the state. She moved to Havre in 1983, and stayed there for three years, moving back to the Flathead, where she started tending bar.
She worked at Semitool for a short time, as well as being a counselor for the Lamplighter House, both in Kalispell.
Rita married David Kellenberger on Feb. 14, 1991, in Kalispell.
Rita enjoyed her many pet dogs, all of which were golden retrievers. Another passion of hers was riding horses. She enjoyed music, watercolor painting and art, flower gardening and landscaping, and enjoyed collecting unusual rocks.
She was a member of the 4-H group and was an honorary member of the Rock Club 'Rock Hounds.'
Rita cherished dearly her family, friends and clients.
She was preceded in death by her father; and grandparents.
She is survived by her husband, David; a son, Joel Hewitt, and his wife, Amber, and their children, Bailey and Wyatt; a daughter, Jessica Hewitt-Horner, and husband, Eric, and their expected son, Taren, all of Kalispell; mother, Dorothy Hewitt, also of Kalispell; one brother, Mike Hewitt, of Arizona, and his daughter, Carol, of Kalispell; and one sister, Patti Konken, and husband, Ron, and their daughters, Alicia and Maria, of Kalispell.
Funeral services for Rita Marie Kellenberger will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 12, at Johnson Mortuary chapel. Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, May 11, and from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, prior to service time. Disposition will be cremation.
The family suggests that donations be to the Lamplighter House, 410 Windward Way, Kalispell, MT 59901, in Rita's name.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Rita's family.
You are invited to go to johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Rita's guest book.