Rita Louise Sikes

Rita Louise Sikes, beloved mom, Nana, great-Nana, sister, and friend, went home to be with the Lord on September 23, 2025, at the age of 74.

A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2025, starting at 2:00 p.m. at Moody’s on Mill Street, 15 E. Mill St., Bayfield, CO 81122. Family and friends are warmly invited to come together, share stories, enjoy a meal, and honor a woman whose love, laughter, and unforgettable cooking brought joy to all who knew her.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, and raised in Ennis, Rita carried with her a deep Texas spirit: strong in faith and filled with love. Her faith was the foundation of her life, and it brought her great comfort and peace in her final days.

Of all the titles Rita held in her lifetime, none brought her more joy than “Nana.” She proudly spoiled her 8 grandkids and 4 great-grandkids, making sure each one knew they were her favorite—even if they all claimed she said it only to them. She had a way of making every child feel like the most special person in the world.

Rita’s kitchen was the heart of every gathering. A fantastic cook and an even better eater, she never let anyone leave her table hungry (or without at least a little food to take home). She was famous for her banana pudding and chocolate pie, and though she always cooked “enough for an army,” somehow there were never any leftovers.

She leaves behind a family who adored her. Children- Kristi and John, Kim and Thomas, Matte and Dean; Grandchildren- Cody and Kirsten, Michelle, Joseph, Saradaun, Makaelah, Isaiah, Judd, and Gunner; Great Grandchildren- Jericho, Lette, Drayan, and Angelica. There are countless others because Rita adopted any child who needed some love, even if they weren’t quite children anymore.

Rita’s memory will be carried forward in every recipe passed down, every holiday memory, and every laugh that echoes when her family gets together. She was one of a kind, and though she will be deeply missed, her spirit lives on in the family she loved so unconditionally.