Rita Mae (Grout) Wenger

 Rita Mae (Grout) Wenger was born to Earl and Dorothea Grout on April 29, 1946, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. She passed away on June 11, 2026. 

She grew up in Iowa and attended Mid-Prairie High School. She continued her education at Iowa Wesleyan in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. She married John Wenger on Dec. 16, 1974, and together they celebrated 51 years of marriage.

Rita was a member of the Eastern Star. She had a passion for teaching students with special needs and took great pride in helping them achieve their goals. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Earl and Dorothea Grout, brother Russell Grout and her infant daughter Victoria Wenger.

She is survived by her husband John Wenger of Sarcoxie, son Nick Wenger and wife Kimberly of Sarcoxie; and daughter Jillian Wenger of Joplin. She is also survived by her three bonus children David Wenger, Denise Goodwin and Danielle Stuart. 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. 

Visitation will be Thursday evening, June 18, 2026, from 6-8 p.m. at Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home in Sarcoxie. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home, Sarcoxie, Missouri.