Rita Joan (Brice) Schultz

Rita Joan Brice Schultz was born in Omaha, Nebraska on April 28th, 1932 to Francis and Margaret Brice. She was the 4th child of 5. There were Bill, Marilyn, Jacquelyn, Rita and Shirley. She had a happy childhood. She fondly remembered the family business, started in their basement, where they made horseradish, and later expanded into other foods. Her dad was a Marine, who fought in WWI.

Rita went to her eternal home, heaven, on 10/26/24, where she is with Jesus and loved ones who preceded her there. She was 92 ½.

Rita graduated from St. Mary High School, Omaha, in 1950. By this time, she had already been dating John (Jack) Carl Schultz, her high school sweetheart. They got engaged and were married on January 6, 1951, in a beautiful ceremony at St. Peters Church in Omaha, NE.

When they were dating, they went to see “Cheaper By The Dozen” at the theater, and afterward, they talked, and both though it would be wonderful to have 12 children, and so they did!

Rita was working as a key-punch operator for Union Pacific Railroad and Jack was working for the Brice family business, F.W Brice and Son, when they learned they were expecting.

They moved to Lincoln, NE where Jack attended the University of NE and worked as a butcher for Safeway. Here is where their 1st two children were born, Mary Charmaine on 04/02/52 and Susan Joan on 09/23/53.

After this, they moved to Omaha where they rented for a bit and then bought a home in October of 1955, and where they had nine more children, Diane Elizabeth on 05/04/55, Laura Jane on 10/16/56, Geralyn Marie on 01/25/58, Janice Ann on 04/11/59, Carl Francis on 06/19/60, Catherine Jean on 01/10/62, Colleen Annette on 06/26/63, Joseph Michael on 08/11/65 and Daniel John on 04/10/68.

In 1964, when there were 9 children, they traded the Chevy Station Wagon and some cash for a school bus that had been converted to a camper. Many, many fun trips were taken in that.

Rita loved being a homemaker and she was an excellent one. She even made matching dresses for her little girls, as she was a great seamstress. Sit-down family dinners around the large table were a daily thing and she made sure every birthday and holiday was special. All the children attended Catholic Schools. Rita and Jack were very involved in their church and school.

In June of 1968, the family loaded into the bus, sent their belongings in a truck, and made a big move to Seattle, WA. There, they settled in Des Moines, WA and this is where their twelfth child was born, Christopher James, on 07/05/69.

In the early 70s, Rita and Jack saw the need, and so became, pioneers in recycling. They started Northwest Reclamation in their garage, which soon turned into 4 recycling centers around Puget Sound. They also started Washington State Recycling Association and Jack was the first president. Most of their children were employed by the business in their teens. It was a family affair.

As the youngest children grew, Rita decided to get a part-time job. One came open at their church, St. Philomena. Rita became the receptionist and the contact person for those who came to the church seeking help. She especially loved this aspect of the job, where she could help those in need.

Rita and Jack loved big family get-togethers and made sure they happened every year. Eventually they had to rent a hall just to have room for everyone. The family would have Christmas dinner together every year and a big family picnic in July, to celebrate Jack’s birthday.

Once the children were all grown up, they loved weekend getaways for just the two of them, but often would invite one family of their grown children to go along. Great memories were created.

In 1974, their first grandchild was born, and from there the family just kept growing, to the present count of 50 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren. Rita loved being a grandma. No matter where they lived, everyone got a birthday card from her, well into her 80’s.

Her beloved husband, Jack, died on 06/23/13. Two of their children preceded them in death, Carl Francis on 01/30/2008 and Mary Charmaine Altaras on 08/11/2012.

After her husband died, Rita lived in a Senior apartment in Federal Way, WA, independently, until May 2024. Her daughter, Susie, was her right-hand person for care she did need during those years. In May of 2024, she moved in with her daughter, Lynn Rhone, in Tacoma, WA.

Rita loved deeply and authentically. She loved God and she loved others. She had a heart of gold and was always so glad to see everyone. She was never too busy for anyone. Her family came first and her devotion to them was evident from beginning to end. She will be lovingly remembered by all. There are so many cherished memories - and she will be forever missed.

She is survived by 10 of her children, Susie and son-in-law Pat Walsh, Diane Viseth, Laura and son-in-law David Aronstein, Lynn (Geralyn) Rhone, Janni and son-in-law Eric Hesse, Cathy Mighell, Colleen Rasmussen, Joe and daughter-in-law Teresa Schultz, Danny Schultz and Chris Schultz. She also leaves her sister, Shirley Ann Donoghue of Pittsburgh, PA, her beloved sister-in-law (Jack’s sister,) and her husband, Lynn and Bill Burgin of Kerrville, TX, 50 grandchildren, 56 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.

She lived a full and happy life.

Contributions may be made to Care Net of Puget Sound, in her honor. She was very involved in the pro-life cause for many years. She knew that life is sacred, and the precious babies deserve to live.

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