Rita Mae (Dilka) Friend

Rita Mae Friend was born on October 2, 1928 to Frank and Minnie Dilka in Wray, Colorado.  She passed away on May 23, 2017 at the Yuma Life Care Center in Yuma, Colorado with her husband, Winton, at her side.

Rita married Winton Verl Friend on July 4, 1958 after Winton came home to visit her and they decided to get married while he was visiting.  Rita always said that she knew Winton was the “one” even long before he realized she existed.  She joked he was stunning in his navy uniform.  However, that may be contrary to the story Winton would tell you.  They were a very close couple and spent all of their time together. 

Winton and Rita travelled around for a few years while Winton worked in road construction.  They moved back to Yuma and soon after they bought Yuma Lumber and Surplus which they ran for many years and you could always find Rita in the office doing bookwork. 

Rita was a very active member at the Yuma Assembly of God Church…teaching Sunday school and later continued with her faith at Freedom Fellowship in Yuma, Colorado but the last several years Rita’s health issues caused her to not attend church as often as she would have liked to…but you could always count on Rita and Winton for countless prayers and counsel no matter what your situation was.  Rita was always there to say a little extra prayer for you. 

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Minnie Dilka, brothers, Cleo (Millie) Dilka; Frank (Helen) Dilka; sisters, Vernadeane (Oliver) Allen; Eva (Fritz) Korf; Lela (Lloyd) Korf; mother-in-law, Ethel and brother-in-law, Lynn Friend along with other relatives and friends. 

Rita is survived by the love of her life, Winton Friend and brother, Robert Dilka of Akron, Colorado and many nieces and nephews along with other relatives and friends.

In Loving Memory Rita: Although you can’t be with me..we’re truly not apart..Until the final breath I take you’ll be living in my heart. 

Memorials are preferred and will be donated to the Gideons Bible, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800. 

The Funeral Service was held on Friday, May 26, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Freedom Fellowship in Yuma, Colorado with Gail Prentice officiating, interment will follow at the Yuma Cemetery in Yuma, Colorado.