Larita “Rita” Cooley, 70, left this world on June 19th, 2022, at her home in Mosca, Colorado, from a long hard battle with ovarian cancer.
Rita’s story began on September 13th, 1951, in Alamosa CO, the third child to Edward and Betty Freel. She lived in Moffat, CO with her 2 brothers and sister until Betty married Elmer Biggs, later adding another sister to the family, and moved to Mosca, CO when she was in 7th grade. Rita went to Sangre de Cristo School where she met her future husband, Bobby Cooley. Rita and Bobby married March 28th, 1969, and lived in Mosca, CO. Rita and Bobby’s first daughter, Dallas Annette Cooley, was born September of that year and later followed by Charla Rae Cooley in June of 1973. Rita and Bobby spent many hardworking years working the dairy farm and later farmed alfalfa and potatoes. They spent their retired years enjoying watching their grandkids grow up, quilting, and traveling when they could.
Rita was renowned for her cooking and baking skills. Rita wrote her own cookbook called “From My Table to Yours, Recipes Tried and True from Rita’s Kitchen” completed in January 2012. Rita was also a great hostess as she hosted many summer parties and gatherings. Rita was an outstanding floral designer. She enjoyed and took pride in her brilliant arrangements she made as well as the floral designs she did for weddings. She worked at Alamosa Floral, Accent on Flowers, and Flowers by Helen in Alamosa for several years before she retired. After leaving work, Rita continued to do weddings with Sandy Smalley for friends and family and enjoyed every minute of it. Rita was also known for her yard and flowers. She loved her greenhouse and spending time planting petunias and tomatoes from start. Rita also was a devoted animal lover. Rita enjoyed hunting asparagus and arrowheads when she was not tending to her garden and driving around with Bob checking sprinklers.
Rita’s grandchildren were her heart. She and Bob had three grandchildren, Cody, Cory, and Jay. They have one great granddaughter Ali and one more boy on the way.
Rita is proceeded in death by mother, stepfather, brother Doug Freel, sister Helen Freel. Rita is survived by husband Bobby Cooley, daughter Dallas (Ben) Gartner, daughter Charla Cooley, and three grandboys and 1 great granddaughter. Siblings Danny Freel, Glenda Freel, Shari Kortan, and Ron Freel also survive Rita.
Per Rita’s request no funeral services will be held.