Rita Denise Stroup was born on July 30, 1953, in Imperial, NE to Kenneth and Jessie (Seitz) Stroup. Rita passed away at Adept Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in North Platte, NE on September 1, 2026.

Rita grew up attending school in Lincoln, Edson and Benkelman. Later in life, she returned to Benkelman with her kids.

When moving back to Benkelman, Rita was not afraid of hard work to provide for her kids. She held numerous jobs over the years including working at the Circle B Restaurant for her cousins in the 90’s, at the Hangout where she gained a close friend in owner, Laem Rowe. Later, she worked for Dundy County schools in the lunchroom until she retired for health reasons. She went back to school in 1989 to attain her GED, an accomplishment that she and her children were extremely proud of.

When she wasn’t working, Rita loved cooking, baking, and hosting family and friends. Rita always enjoyed bragging about her children and grandchildren and was especially anxious about each Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday when she knew the family would be reunited again. Rita also loved celebrating birthdays. She never missed an anniversary or birthday of the kids and grandkids and she seized any opportunity to play board games with her family whenever the opportunity arose. Chris and Lacy remember Rita fondly for her homemade beef and noodles, delicious pancakes completed with homemade chocolate syrup and her delicious Christmas cookies with frosting. She was also particularly fond of animals and took care of neighborhood cats and adopted many dogs over the years as her own. She loved all of her “grandcats” and “grandpups”.

She also enjoyed playing keno and bingo with her dear friend, Laem Rowe and she especially enjoyed cheering for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Rita will be remembered for her love and dedication to her family, being a hard worker, and for never giving up when times were difficult. Her kids were very proud of their mom.

Rita is survived by her son, Chris (Cheyenne) Stroup of North Platte; her daughter, Lacy (Tim) Dillehay of Hoxie, KS; grandchildren, Lakin (Garrett) Vetter, Rachel (Mani) Mendoza all of Kearney; step-grandchildren, Odin, Bodi, Sheyenne and Sheridan; 2 great grandchildren, 4 step great grandchildren; her brother, Dennis (Christine) Stroup and numerous cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Sister, Doretta Stroup and niece, Marlena Stroup.

Memorial contributions may be made to the McCook Humane Society, 100 S. Street McCook, NE 69033.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. (MT) at Benkelman Memorial Chapel, 205 Buffalo St. in Benkelman. Visitation will be held one hour prior. Interment to follow at Benkelman Cemetery in Benkelman.