Rita Marie Schlotterback

Rita Marie Schlotterback was born December 7, 1929 in Plainsville, Kansas to French Canadian emigrants Edward J Plomondon II and Alma Rosalia (Thibault) Plomondon. Rita started her next great adventure on February 15, 2022. Raised in Ellis, Kansas, she was the fourth youngest of twelve children. As a member of the Catholic Church, she attended St. Mary’s Catholic School.

She and her future husband Tom Schlotterback grew up together in Ellis and much to the surprise of both families, eloped in 1947. During the early 1950’s, Tom attended the University of Kansas. Rita managed a growing family of three young children: Rita Michelle, Thomas Mark, and Rebecca while living in a converted World War II army barrack apartment provided for married students. Rita’s ability to organize and raise her children on a tight budget would serve the family well in the upcoming years.

The family of five moved to Kingsville, Texas in 1956 when Tom accepted a teaching position at Texas College of Art and Industries. Rita’s outgoing social nature complimented her interest in learning about new cultures and she introduced the family to Mexican history and cuisine. Fourth child Stephanie is a cherished remembrance of Texas. In 1959 Tom became a doctoral candidate at the University of Iowa.

Once again, Rita’s excellent logistical skills made for a seamless move to Iowa City. Ironically, in a déjà vu, the family lived in Finkbine Park, a former World War II training/housing center. In 1960, the family was blessed with youngest daughter Kimberly Ann. Whew, seven people in a very small duplex. The children shared two small bedrooms and Tom and Rita slept on a sofa bed in the living room. Rita’s creative family management made the best of the challenges as Tom worked towards his doctorate.

In 1965, Tom accepted an assistant professor position at Western Washington University and the family headed west. Imagine a 1960’s VW Microbus crammed full of seven people, Chloe the beagle, two parakeets, and pulling a U-Haul trailer. Always game, Rita initially had concerns about leaving her Midwest roots to move to Bellingham. She quickly realized the family had moved to one of the most beautiful places on earth and to the home they all dreamed of. It just so happened that their new home was right next door to Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Rita joined the Sacred Heart’s volunteer group that provided essential support for the various church activities.

Beginning in the mid 1960’s through the mid 2000’s Rita assisted with weddings, funerals, fund raising, and other church related functions. One of the most memorable activities developed by Rita and other church members was the Potpourri of Art. An annual event, held in early November, artists were invited to display their work for sale to the public. The Potpourri was a precursor to many of the holiday art fairs that continue to occur in Bellingham. It was a huge success and raised thousands of dollars for the church. As a member of the church quilting group, Rita helped create a unique quilt raffled at each Potpourri. The raffle alone generated up to $5,000 donations each year. One of the last quilts created for the raffle was a design collaboration between Rita and Tom focusing on a Northwest theme.

In the mid 60’s Rita and Tom performed in the Bellingham Red Carpet Capers. Together they sang for many years in the Sacred Heart Church Choir. Rita became an enthusiastic hiker and encouraged her husband and children to join a backpacking group that spent a week every summer hiking in the stunning Cascade Mountains. In addition to church involvement and raising her family, Rita took mountain climbing lessons, played softball, earned a real estate license, worked parttime: at the WWU bookstore, was an assistant to a wedding photographer, and a swimming instructor to handicapped children. In the mid 1990’s she was a member of the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and enthusiastically supported the building of the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center, the only public pool in Bellingham.

Rita, a skilled seamstress, taught her four daughters to sew. She made two of her daughter’s wedding dresses numerous bridesmaids’ dresses, prom dresses, costumes and much more. Back in the day Rita’s occupation was described as “Housewife” but a more appropriate title is the “CEO of the Schlotterback Family”.

During the summers, Rita and Tom enjoyed traveling to their hometown of Ellis, visiting family and friends along the way. On one of their visits to Ellis, they discovered quilts created by great grandmother Josie Schlotterback. Left in Josie’s abandoned house, Rita and Tom recognized the quilts unique artistry and historical value. The quilts now preside at the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum in La Conner Washington. Her children grown, Rita became an enthusiastic golfer, joining the Lake Padden’s Women’s Golf Club. She played in many tournaments and played courses from South Carolina to Hawaii. She joined a local bowling team. She and Tom played darts and boccia ball with friends. Rita accompanied Tom on several teaching abroad experiences in Greece. She was the surrogate “mom” to many of the college students. When Tom retired, they traveled extensively in Europe.

Rita continued to sew and quilt, adding rug hooking to her skills. She was an ever-evolving cook, always willing to try new recipes and food styles. Upon moving to the Northwest, she learned how to cook salmon, crab and many other seafood recipes. She was well known for her Cioppino dinners. Her Cheesecake Cookie Recipe is the reason that the annual family “Christmas Cookie Party” started, beginning with Rita baking cookies to share with family and friends.

One of Rita and Tom’s greatest joys were their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Grandma Rita’s famous dress-up box provided endless opportunities for creative play. Grandma Rita was the ultimate adventurer especially when it came to water. At her granddaughter Kristin’s wedding one of the activities was white water rafting. When Gma heard it was “only” a class III she asked multiple times to upgrade to a class IV or higher. Kristin explained she wanted to make sure all wedding guests made it to the ceremony. Lo and behold Gma was thrown out of her raft into the icy cold water. Everyone quickly scrambled to get her back in the raft. Gma was laughing and enjoying her ride outside of the raft so much she asked if she had to get back in for the rest of the trip. When Gma and Kristin debriefed, Gma said she was indeed ready for the class IV and hoped she got tossed out again. To this day some of us wonder if Gma jumped out on purpose!

Granddaughter Colby remembers “An amazing woman who I owe my love of sewing and baking to. I have many fond memories sitting in her sewing room with her for hours on end watching her sew and talking about everything. I also have memories of sitting across the pullout cutting board watching her roll cookie dough, NEVER to touch it just to watch and learn. She played such a monumental role in my life, I will never forget the lessons she taught me or the love I felt every time I was in her presence.”.

Granddaughter Brooke remembers “For me, every memory of Grandma centers around how she made me feel. Her big hugs, wonderful smile, and quick laugh -- her eyes that always danced with adventure -- I knew I was safe and loved. Her delicious and comfy, home cooked meals were incredible too and brought us all together year after year for epic nights of cheer, sharing, games, singing, and so much laughter -- I will always be grateful for those times with our family, loving each other and having so much fun”. Her rug hookings and quilts were my first introduction to what we call Fiber and Material Studies at the Chicago Art Institute. I remember being in complete awe of the creativity, colors, patterns, and textures that she put into these works of art. Ahead of her time as an independent, adventurous woman, she inspired me to pursue my dreams and be myself in this world. I owe so much to her.”

Rita was preceded in death by her beloved husband Tom of 68 years, and daughter Michelle Barnett (Gary). She is survived by daughter Michelle’s children: granddaughter Kristin Barnett and husband Scott Doenecke (great grandchild Tallinn); granddaughter Brooke Barnett; grandson Brett Barnett and wife Miranda (great grandchildren Anastasia, Zoe and Oliver); son Thomas Mark and wife Kathleen (granddaughter Casey Hillyer and husband Mike, great grandchildren Jake and Emily); daughter Rebecca and husband Kurt Aemmer (granddaughter Sydney and husband Noah); daughter Stephanie Schlotterback (granddaughter Colby Hunt and husband Rob, great grandchildren Bently, Ellie, and Oskar); daughter Kimberly Ann Nakatani and husband Dale (grandchildren Lindsey, Danielle and Christopher); and Rita’s brother Donald Plomondon.

A heartfelt thank you to Lynn for her loving long-term care of Rita. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations in Rita’s memory may be made to Whatcom Hospice, the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, or the charity of your choice.