Rita L. Yanez

On October 4th, our world changed forever. Rita went home to her Heavenly Father—an unimaginable loss that has left her family and friends completely heartbroken. Rita was born on July 16, 2004, in Kansas City, Kansas, at Providence Medical Center to Ruben and Tonya Yanez. From the moment she entered this world, she brought laughter, light, and life wherever she went. She was a daughter, sister, aunt, goddaughter, and friend — but above all, she was joy in human form. She is preceded in death by her beloved father, Ruben Yanez, and is survived by her devoted mother, Tonya Yanez; her siblings Juan and Jessica Torres, Tatiana Smith and partner Kody Greenlund, Ruben Yanez Jr., Ricardo and Jenna Yanez, and Johana Yanez; and her cherished nieces and nephew Scarlett, Meilani, Raylee, and Rinnon, all of whom she adored endlessly. Rita was also deeply loved by her godparents Salvador and Edna Arredondo, her godbrothers Adrian Rios, Robert, and Jesus Arredondo, and her many godnieces and godnephews who will always carry a piece of her laughter and light in their hearts. She was loved by an endless number of aunts, uncles, cousins, and her last surviving grandfather, John Smith. Her big and beautiful family will forever keep her memory alive. Those who knew Rita knew that she wasn’t just anyone — she was that person. The one who could walk into a room and instantly change its energy. She was funny, bold, fiercely loyal, and full of life. She had a way of making even the most ordinary moments unforgettable. If you were lucky enough to call her a friend, you knew you had a friend for life. Rita loved hard, worked hard, and talked even harder — and her laugh could fill a room and a heart all at once. Her ability to bring people together, to find humor in the hardest moments, and to care deeply for others made her truly one of a kind. “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.’” — John 11:25–26 We take comfort in knowing that Rita is now in Heaven — probably making everyone laugh and telling Jesus all about it. Her spirit will forever live in our hearts and in every story, every laugh, and every memory she left behind. If we could, we would list every single one of your names — because truly, each of you made such a huge impact on her life. Your love, your memories, and your presence meant the world to her and to all of us who loved her most. Forever our Favorite Rita Lanelle Yanez #ForeverRita A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Nexus Church, 15101 College Blvd, Lenexa, KS 66219.

Tributes

Rita L. Yanez

July 16, 2004 - October 4, 2025