Rita A. Cann, 73, of Topeka, passed away on Sunday, July 17, 2022 at a Topeka care facility. She was born August 9, 1948 in Anniston, Alabama, the daughter of William and Jeanette (Bowles) Zimmerman. She was adopted by George Pruitt when he later married Jeanette.
Rita graduated from Auburn Rural High School and attended Washburn University. She was employed by Goodyear and Santa Fe Railroad as a Key Punch Operator, Topeka Technical College and owned and operated the Cookie Castle in White Lakes Mall. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church.
Rita married Ronald Buchanan in 1969. They divorced. She later married Vincent Osterhaus in 1977. They later divorced. She married Steve Cann in 1989. They were married 32 years when he preceded her in death on March 18, 2021. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Sheila Rodgers in 1997.
Survivors include her children, Brian Cann of Missoula, Montana, Brent Buchanan of Topeka, Thomas Buchanan of Topeka, James Osterhaus of Topeka and Brian (Lindsey) Osterhaus of Oberlin, Kansas, eight grandchildren, Chase Buchanan, Haley Buchanan, Vincent Buchanan, Domonic Osterhaus, Aidan Osterhaus, Jonathon Osterhaus, Brooklynn Osterhaus and Bailey Osterhaus, two great-grandchildren and three siblings, Linda Meyer of Rancho Mission Viejo, California, George Pruitt, Jr. of Hutchinson, Kansas and Sharon Neal of Fairmont, Kansas.
A Celebration of Rita' Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave. Private inurnment will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Dr. Steven Cann Political Science Endowed Scholarship fund at Washburn University. Gifts/checks can be made out to Washburn University Foundation, 1729 SW MacVicar Ave, Topeka, Kansas, 66606 or made online at wualumni.org/givenow. Please note the "Dr. Cann Political Science Endowment" in the memo of mailed checks or the designation section online.
Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave. is assisting the family with service arrangements.
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