Our dear, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and role model and friend, Irita Ida Bush (“Rita”) joined her Heavenly Father and her Lord and Savior, after passing away in Provo, Utah on July 14th, 2024. Rita was born on July 1st, 1929, in Globe, Arizona to Thomas Hyrum Hundley and Ida Hargett Hundley.
Rita was known for her dedication and utter devotion as a mother to her children and grandchildren. Rita’s loving heart was of pure gold, and she would do anything for anybody, no matter the level of sacrifice required at her hands. Rita showed this by having her children stay with her at her place through rough times, as well as donating food and clothing to anyone in need. She was a true inspiration and example to her family as well as to her friends.
Our mother, Rita, had a unique talent and gift for making all her children and grandchildren feel loved and appreciated by boosting them with positive reinforcement during hard times and giving them compliments and praise at times it was most needed.
After Rita married at an early age, she completed her GED and worked hard over a period of thirty-five years as a phone operator at the AT&T corporation, until she retired in 1990. Our Mom typically worked long hours late into the night. She was never known to complain about the difficulty of her circumstances, but always managed to maintain a cheerful smile, even after a long day/night’s work.
Our Mom loved to read about the World War II era, the southwestern territories of the US during the late 1800s (Texans, Navajo, Cherokee cultures, and other American-Native cultures). She loved to attend festivities with colorful costumes, music, and dancing, and especially enjoyed square dancing. She liked to watch films, documentaries, and biographies about people and real-life events because she always felt like she learned much from the experiences of others.
Rita was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and took her faith seriously. She loved studying about church history, especially the pioneers, as well as gospel doctrine and studying the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon. Our Mother was always a true, genuine Christ-like example to her children and grandchildren throughout her life.
Our Mother, Rita, is survived by her brother, Myles Hodson and her children, Melodie (Richard) Echols, Ruth Hauser, Beverly (Craig) Anderson, Andrew Bush, Brad Bush, Joseph (Thu) Bush, Daniel (Sharon) Bush, Crystal Jensen, Kenneth (Nannette) Bush
Preceded in death by both parents, brothers: Virgil, Thomas, Sam and sister, Crystal, and her sons, Ivens, Robert (Jonah Michaels), William Bush Jr, and her daughters, Bobbie Jean and Shirley, as well as her granddaughter, Kimberly, grandson, Justin and great granddaughter, Kaydin.
The family will receive friends on July 26th, 2024, 10am to 10:40am at the LDS Church located at 5107 South 5600 West, Kearns, UT 84118. Services will follow at 11am.
Interment will be held at: Valley View Mortuary 4335 West 4100 South, WVC, UT
