Rita Brandt

Rita Mae Brandt passed away suddenly on Monday Aug. 15 in Puyallup.

Rita was 58 years old, born May 22, 1964 in Bellingham and was the fifth of five children to Robert and Bonna (Bauthues) Beck.  

Rita graduated from Ferndale High School in 1982. After obtaining her two-year degree in accounting from Spokane Falls Community College, she married John Brandt in 1984, after dating for many years. After supporting John during his final year of College at Washington State University, Rita and John moved to Longview for John’s new job. They later moved to Tacoma in 2010 when John switched jobs and have lived there since.  

Rita’s greatest joy was being a mom to her two sons, RJ and Jake. She was a terrific wife and mom.

Rita volunteered whenever and wherever needed at the boy’s schools, running youth athletic programs and assisting with coaching all their sports teams.

Rita, always financially savvy, was great at running the many fundraisers to support programs her boys were active in while maintaining a tight family budget so the family could enjoy many fun activities and allowing John to retire early. 

Rita enjoyed boating and fishing, a love that was passed down from her father. After her parents gave Rita and John the family boat (1971 24-foot Fiberform) in the 1990s, their family was able to spend many great nights on the Columbia River as she did as a child in the San Juan Islands.

Additionally, Rita enjoyed playing slow pitch softball, hiking and growing a garden. She was a fantastic cook; we will miss her delicious food.

Rita will be greatly missed by her husband, John; their two children, RJ (Patty) and Jake (Bailey) and their dog Tiara; one grandchild Johnathan; mother Bonna Beck; sisters Tami (Greg Merritt) and Jodi; brothers Bret (Debbie) and Matt; mother-in-law Myrna Brandt and sister-in-law Janell Lyddan (Dennis).

Rita was preceded in death by her father Robert; father in-law Robert Brandt and sister in-law Jana Kortus.

A private family gathering was held in Rita’s honor.