Rita Kay Wagenaar, 67
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 1 hour, 8 minutes AGO
Rita Kay Wagenaar, 67, was blessed with angel wings July 25, 2026. Rita was born June 10, 1959, to Forest and Berylene Taylor.
She is survived by the love of her life, husband Paul Wagenaar; daughters Maggie, husband KC and grandson Kai Geisler; Imagene and husband Ed Burcham; Virginia, husband Jason and grandson Adrian Arbagast, granddaughter Shayla, husband Cameron and great-granddaughter Jackie Paul; her uncle Beryl “Sonny” and his wife, Janie Wagner; along with many cousins, adopted daughters/sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, special Auntie Donna Coppenhaver and Pat McHale.
Growing up, one of Rita's favorite things to do was spend time with her Daddy out in the garage where he taught her everything she needed to know about the mechanics of a vehicle. She loved roller skating and riding her bike too.
After graduating from Flathead High School in 1977, Rita's adventurous spirit took wings and she started working at the Snow Slip Inn, where she met her first husband, Steve. From there years of traveling with a seismic road construction company. In 1980, Rita's sweet little love bundle Maggie was born. Years later, Rita and Maggie settled in Townsend, Montana, where, in 1993, Rita met and married the love of her life, Paul, and moved to Hardin, where their combo family grew to five.
A busy household with three girls, sheep, cows, horses, lots of dogs, a lot of craziness and love blended in it all. She had lots of love to give, which spread to many friends who became part of her large family.
In the early 2000s, empty nesters Rita and Paul moved into town where Paul managed the fairgrounds.
Rita gave her heart and soul to the Lord. She loved making and baking everything from scratch, canning, sewing, gardening, and, most of all, she loved her family and friends deeply with her heart and soul.