Rita Jeanette (Saulsbury) Brunk

January 24, 1937-September 18, 2026

Rita Jeanette (Saulsbury) Brunk, 89 of Lancaster, Missouri passed away on Friday, September 18, 2026 at the Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, Missouri surrounded by her loving children.

The daughter of Acy Albert and Bertha Leona (Montgomery) Saulsbury, she was born on January 24, 1937 in Kirksville, Missouri. She attended Lancaster High School in Lancaster, Missouri and was a majorette and enjoyed playing basketball. On July 2, 1963 in Lancaster, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Billy Lee Brunk and to this union five children were born, Deborah, Teresa, Regina, Bradley and Penny.

Rita is survived by her children, Debbie Kelso and husband, Rick of Downing, Missouri, Terri Snowbarger and husband, Jeff of Macon, Missouri, Regina Luck and husband, Lawrence of Columbia, Missouri, Brad Brunk of Independence, Missouri and Penny Eckles and husband, Guy of Columbia, Missouri; 11 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren and one on the way; numerous nieces and nephews, family members and many good friends.

Rita is preceded by her parents; her husband, Billy; 6 brothers and 6 sisters and one great granddaughter, Callie Rose Dowdy.

Rita was a member of the Lancaster United Methodist Church in Lancaster, Missouri where she attended faithfully. She loved the Lord and her church family. She was so thankful for all her many blessings.

Rita and Billy owned and operated the Modernaire Café beginning in 1973 followed by the Lancaster Café which hosted many themed events. They served the best home cooked meals and pies. She also was a great addition to the nutrition site after the café closed.

Rita enjoyed cooking, reading, sewing, fishing, especially with Billy, gambling and watching the birds and geese on the pond. She loved playing with her grandkids and a good game of Blitz. She was the Queen of Old Settlers 2024 and Grand Marshall in 2025.

Rita will be greatly missed. What a bright, beautiful light she was to many, especially to her family. Her smile, laugh, hugs and Saulsbury kisses will be missed.

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Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri with Todd Borgmann, Pastor of the Lancaster United Methodist Church in Lancaster, Missouri officiating. Music will be special CD selections of “Words From Heaven” and “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”. Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri. Memorials have been established for the Schuyler County Nutrition Site or to the Arni Memorial Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com. Burial will be in the Arni Memorial Cemetery in Lancaster, Missouri. Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home of Lancaster, Missouri.