Rita Lee

Rita Schimming Lee left this world to be with her parents surrounded by her loving family on July 13, 2016 at Community Nursing Home of Anaconda. Rita was born in Anaconda, Montana on March 20, 1944, the first girl, and third born to Raymond and Florence (Percin) Schimming. Rita was raised in Anaconda and graduated from Anaconda Central High School Class of ‘62. She lived on Birch Hill for most of her adult life in the black house on the corner of Birch and 7th. She received her pin as an L.P.N. from Miles Community College and went on to earn her bachelor's degree in Human Services from Montana Tech in 1991. As a substitute teacher, she was given the beloved name of "Terminator." Rita enjoyed traveling, dancing, crocheting, ceramics, cooking, softball, and playing pinochle and. She was proud of her Irish, Austrian and German heritage including being a part of the Harrington, Percin, and Schimming families. She was a life-long member of the Anaconda Catholic Community. She was blessed with three children, "my babies," Raymond, Katherine and Monique. She married the love of her life, Thomas Lee, who followed her home from Oregon, 33 years ago and added two more "my babies," Robert and Drenda. She had many "children" who called her mom or grandma and everyone was welcome and part of her extended family including all the people she called "in-laws and her kids" at one time in her life. She was a wonderful friend who had a heart of gold and was 10 feet tall at 5' 1 ¾". She taught her children "family was family no matter how obtained." Rita is survived by her husband, Thomas Lee. Her "babies" Ray Derenburger, Katherine Derenburger, Monique (Floyd) Miller, Robert (Diana) Lee, and Drenda (Phillip) Thompson and her daughter's in-law, Jeanne Derenburger, Jodie Sturm, and Lynn Hencley. Her grandchildren whom she cherished, Keith (Kristy) Zeier, Rory Derenburger, Selena Derenburger, Christopher Thompson, Caitlyn Hencley, Jordan Thompson, Jacob Thompson, Karessa Packard, Josh Humble, April (Nick) Crissman, Brian Sturm, Amy Sturm, Jorgen Miller and Eileen Miller. She is also survived by 10 great grandchildren. Also survived by her two brothers and sister, Paul (Shannon) Schimming, James (Paula) Shimming, and Lorraine Evans; her sister-in-law's, Linda Schimming and Roseann Schimming; other in-laws; and, numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her grandparents, Angela and Frank Hoenstein, Matt Percin, William and Julia Schimming; her parents, Ray and Florence Schimming; and, her brothers, Raymond, Jack, and Matt. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church at 405 Alder with a reception at Holy Family Church at 217 W. Pennsylvania following the services.

Service -St. Peter's Catholic Church at 405 Alder

JUL 20. 9:00 AM (MDT)

Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home 107 Oak St. Anaconda, MT 59711