Rita Isabelle (Kanan) Coleman, 101 of Merriam, Kansas, passed away March 12th, 2026 surrounded by her family. Rita was born on January 20th 1925 in Cameron, Missouri. She graduated from Cameron High School in 1943, went on to graduate from Chillicothe Business College, and spent her working life as a bookkeeper. She married her high school sweetheart, Forest Coleman, on September 28th, 1946 and started their family in 1951. They had recently celebrated their 68th year of marriage at the time of his passing in 2014.

Rita was sweet, lovely, feisty, fun-loving and supportive to all who knew her. During her life she was a daughter, sister, friend, best friend, cousin, aunt, great aunt, wife, neighbor, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, grandmother-in-law, great grandmother, golfing buddy, adoration partner, white knuckle flier, travel companion, cheerleader, ego builder, shopping buddy, jokester, gardener, fun-loving accomplice, fashion advisor, head hugger, Chief’s fan, meatball maker, baker, and devoted Irish Catholic — the list is long. Rita will be greatly missed as she had a wonderful gift, to make everyone she knew feel special and loved.

She is now peacefully at rest with the love of her life and the family who passed on before her. A Celebration of her life will be in the form of a Visitation, Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial followed by a private burial in the Kenney Family Cemetery in Kidder, Missouri on March 20th 2026. An Irish Wake will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to Monarch Hospice and Palliative Care to help pay forward their fabulous care.

Celebration of Rita’s Life

March 20th, 2026

Queen of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church

7023 West 71st Street

Overland Park, KS 66204

Visitation: 9:30 - 10:15am

Rosary: 10:15am

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30am