Rita Jaunell (Shafer) Willis

Rita Jaunell Shafer Willis age 91, passed away on February 5,2022, in Colorado Springs. Rita was born on April 20th,1930 in Brownwood Texas to Bernie and Mildred Shafer. Rita was a mother, a grandmother and great grandmother and most of all a caregiver all her life.

At 9 years of age, she took care of her mother until she died and that started her lifelong passion of taking care of people. At a young age she met the love of her life, Leland Willis while in Brownwood. When he left for the service, they kept in touch and on his return were married in 1945. From that union there were 2 children. Leland Ronald Willis and Rita Jana Willis Hosselkus.

She loved her horse, Chief, line dancing and most of all the mountains of Colorado where she lived with her husband till his passing in 1984. Rita went back to Texas to keep caring for people then back to South Fork, Colorado where she loved the most, to be with family until her passing.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday February 9th at Strohmayer’s Funeral Home in Monte Vista Colorado. A viewing will be held in Meridian Texas at Lawson Funeral Home on Friday February 11th, from 5-7pm. A Graveside service will be held Saturday February 12th at 10am.

Arrangements were entrusted to Lawson Funeral Home, Meridian, Texas 254-435-2792.