Rita Sharon Curtis Freel, 59, died Monday, Dec. 17, 2012 at her home north of Alamosa, Colorado.
Rita was born September 5, 1953 in Colorado Springs, Colorado to Don and Rebecca Sue Curtis. They moved to the San Luis Valley in 1963 when Rita was about 10 years old. She grew up on their family property just east of Center. Rita was very active with her horses and was Miss Stampede in 1972. She graduated from Sangre de Cristo High School in 1971. Doug Freel and Rita were married in 1972 and had two children, Jess (Emily) Freel of Mosca and Tiffany Freel of Alamosa. Their family spent many years farming and ranching together on their property in Mosca. Rita held various other jobs around the Valley as well, the most recent being at Central Pump in Center, Colorado.
Rita was a fantastic seamstress and spent hours sewing clothes for horse shows and other events; for several years she was a 4-H leader and traveled near and far to horse shows with her daughter. She enjoyed her animals and spending time with her many relatives and friends, all of whom will miss her intensely.
Preceding Rita in death were her parents and husband. She is survived by her son and daughter, two grandsons, Kyle and Tanner Freel and two granddaughters, Haylee and Taylor Freel. She is also survived by her two brothers, Dave Curtis and Dan Curtis, both of Hooper.
Graveside services will be held Saturday, Dec. 22 at 11:00 A.M. at Rio Alto Cemetery in Moffat.
Contributions in memory of Rita may be made to the Sangre de Cristo Schools to be used for the FFA program, and may be made at the funeral home office or sent directly to the school at 8751 Lane 7 North, Mosca, CO 81146.