Rita Marie Tibbitts(Beaner) of Springfield, OR passed away in the early hours of November 3, 2020 at Elder Health and Living Memory Village.

Rita was born in Miller, SD to Rupert H. and Mary K. (Lambertz) Beaner on November 21, 1952.  She was the 16th child in the family.  She attended school in the St. Lawrence and Miller area.  Upon graduation from Miller High School in 1971, she ventured off to college in Watertown, SD.  In 1975, she met Alwin Tibbitts while working as the nanny for the SD Governor Richard Kneips family.

Rita and Al married in September of 1976 in Huron, SD.  To this union three children were born, Jeremiah, Emily, and Justin.  Al's job moved them to various places throughout South Dakota, Montana, and Washington, before finally settling in Hill City, SD.  In 1993, they purchased Three Forks Country Store where Rita's friend base flourished.  This business became her identity and livelihood, shaping countless friendships.  She enjoyed taking part in her kids' lives, attending Beta Ro meetings, helping others, and spending time with her friends.  She and Al divorced in 2000 and Rita continued to operate the store until 2004.  After selling the store and moving to Rapid City, she held a variety of jobs including the Black Hills Eye Institute, The Shriners, Scheels, and as a bank teller.

Her enduring passion for dancing kindled the relationship with her long-time boyfriend, Drex Brewer.  She moved to Spearfish and worked in the Black Hills State University's financial department until she was diagnosed with dementia.  In the Fall of 2015, she moved to Hot Springs, SD to be closer to her daughter and grandson, Wyatt.  Rita spent her time in Hot Springs relaxing, cruising second-hand shops and garage sales, driving Wyatt around when his mom was at work, enjoying all of Emily's animals, and spending time with Drex dancing and traveling to visit family.

In the Fall of November 2018, she moved to Oregon to be closer to her sons and closer to medical staff better prepared to deal with dementia. Rita fought many years with the devastating disease of dementia, but through it all, she remained loving and concerned for those around her.  She never lost her devout faith through the process.  Her love for life and family spread to everyone she met and those fortunate enough to meet her knew her humor and smile could light up a room instantly.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Rupert and Mary Beaner; her brothers, Donald and Lloyd Beaner; and her sisters, Donna Eschenbaum and Linda Terbell; and her brothers and sister-in laws, Nancy Beaner, Sharon Beaner, Robert Eschenbaum, Jack Fanning, Nina Beaner, and Mike Butler and Ray Molander.

Rita is survived by her children, Jeremiah(Bri) Tibbitts of Monroe, WA, Emily Tibbitts (Troy) of Hot Springs, SD, and Justin (Tania) Tibbitts of Eugene Oregon; grandchildren, Wyatt, Rylee, Lincoln, Cooper, and Alexander; siblings, Charlotte Molander, Irene Fanning, Roger (Jodi) Beaner, Jim Beaner, Richard Beaner, Chuck (Judy) Beaner, Sandra (Darwin) Knutson, Ramona (Darrell) Lewis, Diann Knight, Mary Butler, and Ellen (Bruce) Rook;  her brothers and sisters-in-laws, Murial Beaner, Gary Terbell; and too many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends to mention.

P.S. If you knew how to country dance you had an instant friend with Rita!