Rita Irene Schoeni Wichers Kleinschmidt was born on October 2, 1947, and passed away on January 10, 2026, at the age of 78, in Lincoln, Nebraska.

She was the daughter of the late Wayne Arthur and Lucille (Grauerholz) Schoeni. She had four siblings: Carole Thompson (Eldon), Jan Ziegler (Bob), Arden Schoeni, and Cheryl Gibbs. She was preceded in death by her sisters Carole in 2022, and Jan in 2011.

Rita was born in Smith Center, Kansas and spent her school years attending Kensington, Kansas elementary and high school. After graduation, she attended cosmetology school at the Salina Beauty Academy, in Salina, Kansas. She was working in Osborne, Kansas when she met her first husband, Don Wichers. To this union, four children were born: Donna and husband Jeff Carter, Deitra and husband Mark Losey, Donald Wichers, and Royce Wichers.

She later married Lloyd Kleinschmidt from Plainville, Kansas. They celebrated their 40th anniversary on January 14, 2025. Together, they enjoyed traveling, meeting with Lloyd's old shipmates at their bi-annual reunions, doing puzzles, entertaining in their garage, and hanging out with their longtime friends and knocking back a cold one together.

She was also blessed with six grandchildren: Trent Brewer, Whitney Losey, Matthew, Jaysa, Oaklye, and Collyns Wichers, and 2 great grandchildren: Bentley Miles Brewer and Maleena Nicole Wichers. Rita was a member of the Agra Methodist Church, where she shared her love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, upon whom she now rests. She was also a member of the Agra American Legion Auxiliary since 1989.

A funeral service for Rita will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, in Phillipsburg, Kansas, with Pastor Becky Saddler officiating. Rita will be laid to rest at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery at WaKeeney, Kansas.

Rita will lie in state on Tuesday from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with the family receiving friends and relatives for a visitation from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday evening, at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, in Phillipsburg, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Agra Methodist Church.