Rita Fey Phillipson, 67, passed away Sunday, November 10, 2024 at her home in Freeport, Florida after a courageous battle with cancer.
Memorial services are 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 3rd at New Boston United Methodist Church. Burial will be in New Boston Cemetery. Following the graveside service, all are invited back to the church for a time of food and fellowship. The family request that memorials be designated for pancreatic cancer research at Mayo Clinic and can be made to Department of Development – Mayo Clinic. Dennison Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Rita Fey Sloan was born June 20, 1957 in Muscatine, Iowa the daughter of E. Reed and Ruth Ann Carlson Sloan. She graduated from Westmer High School in 1975. Rita married Jeff Smith, together they had two sons. In 1992, she married Mark Phillipson… they lived in Stronghurst and Biggsville, Illinois before moving to Freeport, Florida. She was a dental assistant for most of her working career. The most memorable and rewarding was for Burlington Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. She was also the owner/operator of Rita’s Beach Retreat in Panama City, Florida. Rita had a zest for life and held a special place in the hearts of her family and countless friends. Her happy place was on a beach or in the mountains.
Those left to cherish her memory are her husband: Mark Phillipson of Freeport, Florida; sons: Travis Smith and Cody Smith both of Seaton, Illinois; “unofficial grandchildren”: Maisa Lange of Freeport, Florida and Taleigh Harville of Keithsburg, Illinois; and brother: Murry Sloan of New Boston, Illinois.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers: Brian and Bret Sloan, and sister: Kelly Sue Sloan.
Online condolences may be left at www.dennisonfuneralhome.com.
