Rita (Root) Courtney of Kendallville, Indiana who was born September 3rd, 1954 in Sturgis, Michigan to Robert Edward (Sutton) Root and Nancy Lee Sweet departed this world on Sunday, September 7th. She left behind many who loved her including but not limited to her daughter Sherilyn (Randy) Lackey of Lagrange, her son Eric (Glenna) Root of Kendallville.

Her grandchildren: Casey (Aaron Winans) Montgomery of Howe, Stephanie (Jeremy) Gustas of Lagrange, Brendan Root of Kendallville, Emily (Dillon) Kaiser of Walkerton, Sharon Sargent, Joshua Root and Matthew Root all of Kendaville.  Her great grandchildren: Jordan Klumpp, Hayden and Jaxson Montgomery, Olivia, Kenzie and Quinn Winans of Howe, Quinton, Kaden and Chance Howe of Lagrange. Draven Kaiser of Walkerton, IN.

Her brothers and sister: Thomas (Tina) Myers of Sturgis, MI, Robert Root Jr of Leroy, MI, Rhonda (Ron) Schalow, of Sidney, Ohio, Terry (Deb) of Leroy, MI, Bill (Kimberly) Root of Cadiz, KY, John (Jennifer) Root of Alto, MI, Jim (Renee) Root of Tustin, MI.

Rita's beloved wife, whom she missed dearly, Shelly Lauderdale, preceded her in death on March 1st, 2025. Also, preceding her in death were her parents and younger brothers Steven D. Root of Colon, MI and Mark (Heather) Root of Cadillac, MI.

By definition invincible is "to be too powerful to be defeated or overcome." Rita was defeated more than once in her life but she remained invincible in our eyes. She sliced through every Gordian knot that ever restrained her.  She showed us all how to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and get back on that horse! Her yellow brick road path in life was an arduous one but she traveled it the best she knew how. She taught us many things along the way: how to appreciate a great barrel racer, how to work on a car, then how to race that car, to play pool, to can fruits and vegetables, to make fudge, to fish, to cuss, to find a love in reading, to leave you with sayings that will be used for centuries, to fight fiercely for the downtrodden, to look after, feed and protect the "Mongo Mafia" and mostly she taught us how to live our life on our terms!

So, it is with sadness that I say that the woman we called; wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, mother-in-law, aunt, niece and friend finally wished upon a star and woke up where the clouds are far behind her. She is where troubles melt like lemon drops, away above the chimney tops. That's where you will find her! Until we meet again...somewhere over the rainbow!

Condolences may be sent to the family at hessfuneralhome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Noble County.