Rita Marie Weller, 62
Rita Marie Weller, 62, went to the room that God had prepared for her June 3, 2023, while being held in the loving arms of her little sister.
She was born in Louisville, Montana, June 25, 1960, to Gary and Janet Weller, she is the oldest of nine siblings, three biological and five steps, that we do not consider steps.
She was preceded in death by both her parents; her younger brother, Norman Weller of Olney, Montana; younger sister, Marcia Weller of Kalispell; her nephews, Gary Hower and Elijiah Weller, both of Kalispell.
She was a happy bundle of joy and was given the nickname Mickie as she was named after her mom’s cousin Rita Mcclanahan.
A Montana born native that grew up in Imperial Beach, California, was a brownie and a girl scout, she also sang in the chorus ensemble. Her family moved to Columbia Falls in 1978 and soon after she gave birth to her only child Joshua Weller.
She had a heart for adventure and a zest for life. She was not fearless. She was brave and faced her fears head on.
Her passion was cooking and people, and she shared that thru her food. She opened her own restaurant with her son and his wife in 2019, she named it, “The Fam Damly Cafe,” to honor her aunt Mina May who ran a Cafe of the same name in Stanford, Montana, when she was a child.
She fought her battles out loud and gave immense encouragement and strength to others, that’s true courage. She shared her qwarky antics while in the eye of her own storm by creating Tic Toc videos that always ended with her catchphrase, “It is what it tis, til it taint.”
She spent the entire summer of 2022, on the free side of Emery Bay with her dogs. She told her sister she knew it would be her last one and she would be the master of what dreams may come. So if you are missing her free spirit just go sit on the shore of the reservoir and she’ll be there.
She is survived by her son, Joshua Weller and his wife Alicia; their 2 sons, Harley and Dade; her sister, Darla Wilson and her husband Darrin; grandmother, Audrey Jelleff; step-siblings, Shannon, Angelique, Shane and Raejon; as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Rita's celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. on Oct. 7, at the United Methodist Church, 117 2nd St. West, Columbia Falls. Taco feed and fellowship to follow.