Rita F. Dreiling

Rita Fae Dreiling, 90, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the Homestead Assisted Living Center in Russell, Kansaas.

Rita was born July 15, 1936, in Codell, Kansas, the daughter of Herman B. and Eva Pauline (Hoiser) John. She grew up in the Natoma, Kansas area and graduated from Natoma High School. She was united in marriage to Clarence Graf on August 16, 1955, in Victoria, Kansas. From this union Rita and Clarence were blessed with four children John, Mark, Brad and Kim. Clarence preceded her in death on June 22, 2003. Rita found love a second time and married Norb Dreiling on April 24, 2004 in Russell. Norb preceded her in death on July 15, 2008. Rita worked selling Avon for several Years, and served as a district manager for 2 years. She worked as a manager and waitress for the Victoria V.F.W. was VFW Auxiliary District President, and was owner of a local liquor store for 4 years and worked at the Liquor Station in Russell for many years. Rita enjoyed living and working the Russell community. Her community included St Mary’s Queen of Angels Catholic church, RCCW, PVP Mortuary, Southwind Bank, the Nex-Tech office, the clinic at Russell Regional Medical Center, Casey’s, Klemas, the south Dollar General and her residence at Homestead of Russell. Her job of 17 years with PVP Mortuary allowed her the opportunity to frequent the business of Russell delivering funeral notices. She also hosted numerous visitation service for “the fellas” at PVP. Rita was proud of her family readily sharing, where they lived and what they were doing. She had an infectious, and sometimes wry smile and was always willing and eager to have a conversation with both new and old friends about the happenings in her life, and theirs too. Her hobbies included visiting family and friends, sewing, cooking and watching football, basketball and baseball on television. Until recently she would travel to see her children and grand children in Lone Star Texas, Tulsa / Jenks, Oklahoma, and Ottawa, Kansas. Miss Rita will be missed and remembered.

Surviving family include her son Brad Graf (Michelle) of Ottawa, Kansas: daughter Kim Sly (Jim) of Lone Star, Texas; sister, Connie Sloan of Wyoming; daughter-in-law, Teresa Graf of Jenks, Oklahoma: grandchildren, Jori Bellas (Daniel), Reggie Graf, Taylor Graf (Lyla), Kristi Sly-Ruth (Liam), Matt Sly (Courtney), Sandra Wright, Luci Weaver and Gracie Hutchison (Daniel):great grandchildren, Everett Bellas, Nora Bellas, Violet Graf, Kooper Sly-Ruth, Kodi Sly-Ruth, Stella Angel, Samson Angel, Hank Hutchison and Callum Hutchison; and many nieces and nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Clarence Graf and Norbert Dreiling; sons John and Mark Graf; brothers Ernest, Walter, Arnold, and Donald John; sisters Dorothy Wait, Ruth Lozar, Eileen Butcher, and infant brother Darrell John and infant sister Juanita John and granddaughter Martha Graf.

Celebration of the Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM, Thursday, October 1, 2026 at St. Mary, Queen of Angels Catholic Church of Russell. Graveside Service will be held 1:00 PM, Thursday at St. Fidelis Catholic Cemetery in Victoria, Kansas. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Wednesday, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. In luei of flowers a Memorial has been established with St. Mary’s Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.