Rita Sue Glassinger

Rita Sue Glassinger, 87, Shawnee, KS, passed away Saturday, May 16, 2020 at her home surrounded by family. Rita was born on March 21, 1933 to Esther (Hicks) and Harry Ballew in Marshall, Missouri.

Rita Ballew met Virgil Glassinger when her family moved into the house across the street when they were children. They became friends and then married many years later, on December 20, 1952. Together they raised Rita's son, Gary, and went on to have three more children, Cathy, Deborah, and Darryl.

Rita loved her family fiercely and showed her love through all that she did for them.  She loved treating her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to dinners out and to weekend trips to Branson.

Rita and Virgil loved traveling together and with their children.  They went on numerous cruises to Alaska and Mexico and traveled across the United States.  They especially enjoyed their trips to Pagosa Springs, CO, Orlando, FL, and Branson, MO.

Rita had a true passion for event planning and planned each event with a great deal of care.  From weddings, baby showers, birthdays, and church events to her and Virgil's vow renewal on their 50th wedding anniversary, each event was perfectly executed with every detail handled.

Rita enjoyed working and was very successful in all endeavors.  She was a medical office manager for 20 years.  She then opened Early World of Learning Daycare and cared for many children for over 23 years.  Each of her daycare kids called her grandma.  Everyone who walked into her home was family and treated with great care and love.

Rita spent her later years enjoying the company of her husband of 66 years, Virgil, and telling childhood stories to anyone who would listen.

Rita was a strong and independent woman who did not take no for an answer.  She lived her life with great passion and ferocity.  The world and her family will not be the same without her, but her incredible legacy and stories will live on and be cherished by those she loved.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, son, Gary Gregory, and daughters, Cathy Lewis and Deborah Glassinger. She is survived by her husband, Virgil Glassinger; son, Darryl Glassinger (Ginger); son-in-law, Jack; daughter-in-law, Barbara; grandchildren, Sharla, Jason, Brandy (Mike), Jayme (Michael), Jonathan (Brandi), Sarah (Daniel), Skylar (Ashlee);  and great grandchildren, Nikki, Piper, Jackson, Max, Mikalyn, Devlin, Jayda, Teagan, Tatum, Beckym, and Colton.

The family requests donations to Interim Healthcare and Hospice, 10977 Granada Ln, Suite 105, Overland Park, KS 66211  in lieu of flowers.