Rita "Rat"  Gaye (Atwood) Reynolds, 78, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Saturday evening, February 1, 2020, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Rita was born November 3, 1941 in Great Bend, Kansas.  She was one of three daughters born to Clarence W. and Marie R. (Pozalek) Atwood.  She grew up in Russell and graduated from Russell High School in the Class of 1959.  She has lived most all of her life in the Russell area.

Rita was united in marriage to Dwayne W. Reynolds on February 14, 2004 in Wichita, Kansas.  She was a Bank Teller for Valley State Bank for several years.

Rita was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church, where she volunteered for many years.  She enjoyed tilling in her flower garden, playing bingo and visiting with friends at McDonalds.

Surviving family include her husband of 15 years, Dwayne of the home; two sons, Brian Anschutz of Russell, Kansas and Derrick Anschutz (Melodie) of  Russell, Kansas; step daughter, Rose Johnston (Curt) of Eaton, Colorado; sister, Ima Jean Atwood of Lafayette, Colorado; 8 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister Lila Joy Atwood.

A Celebration of Rita’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, on Wednesday, February 12, 2020,  at St. John Lutheran Church.  A private family committal will take place at a later date.  Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, February 11, 2020, at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM Tuesday evening.  A Memorial has been established with St. John Lutheran Church of Russell.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, who is in charge of these arrangements.