Rita Karen Hellyer Sumsion

Rita Karen Hellyer Sumsion passed away in her home on August 31, 2012. She was born August 16, 1943 in Billings, Montana to Harry Nathan and Gladys Rhoda Hiett Hellyer. Her first home was a boxcar on North 22nd Street, where her father later built the home in which she was raised.



Rita was grateful to her public school teachers, who fostered her desire to read, write, and be read. Throughout her life those desires were never quenched. After graduating from Billings Senior High School in 1961, Rita moved to Springville, Utah to attend Brigham Young University.



In Springville, Rita met Howard Michael Sumsion, whom she married on February 12, 1964. Rita and Michael had four children, Alan Michael, Michele, Grant Michael, and Gina. In 1968, eight months before Gina's birth, Michael died in a hunting accident. Finding herself a young widow, Rita returned to BYU and in 1974 completed her degree in secondary education with an English major and a Spanish minor. While at BYU Rita excelled on the bowling team, setting team records that stood for many years.



In 1972 she married Frank Schetselaar. To them was born Rita's third son, Frank Martin. When they later divorced, Rita returned to the classroom as a teacher of English and Spanish. Rita taught for 27 years, including 2 years in Byron, WY; 5 years in Harlowton, MT; and 20 years at Pleasant Grove Jr. High. Through those years she never stopped learning. By the time she retired in 2007, having earned a Golden Apple Award as an outstanding educator, she was teaching classes in computers and business.



Rita treasured her association with her neighbors and friends in the Geneva Heights 3rd Ward, to whom she was ever grateful for years of service. She was active in the LDS church and relied on the gospel of Jesus Christ to sustain her through a lifetime of trials.



She loved BYU sports, cats, writing, and above all, her children and grandchildren. Rita was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, her brother, husband, son, and one granddaughter. She is survived by her sisters: Janice Patterson of Woods Cross, Evelyn Taylor of Billings, and Hazel Peterson of Butte, MT; four children: Michele Sumsion, Idaho Falls; Grant (Judy) Sumsion, Springville; Gina Hoggard, Idaho Falls; and Martin (Lisa) Schetselaar, Provo; nine grandchildren and one great grandson.



A viewing will be held at the Geneva Heights 3rd Ward (857 W. 800 N., Orem) on Friday, September 7, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and from 9:00 to 10:00 on Saturday morning. Funeral services will be in the same building on Saturday, September 8 at 10:00 am. Interment will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville. Funeral directors, Wheeler Mortuary.