Rita Jo Schrowangen

Rita Jo Schrowangen, age 90, was called home on January 28, 2026. She was born on March 10, 1935, in Lafayette, Indiana, to Marie (Kirsch) and Joseph VanDame.

Rita grew up in Lafayette, graduating from Jefferson High School in 1952, where she was a cheerleader. After graduation, she attended nursing school at Indiana University in Indianapolis before marrying the love of her life, Don, in 1956. Together, they made homes in Traverse City, Michigan; Benton Harbor, Michigan; Battle Creek, Michigan; DeKalb, Illinois; Orlando, Florida; Tallahassee, Florida; Denver, Colorado; and finally, Amarillo, Texas.

Rita worked alongside Don in several ventures. At Dog n Suds, a VanDame family business, she served as the prep chef, preparing ingredients and keeping the kitchen ready for service. She was always stylish, known for her signature beehive hairdo. Rita was also an expert seamstress. She taught sewing classes at Gilberg's in Orlando and Tallahassee, assisted Don at Cloth World in Amarillo, and was the dressmaker for all store displays.

Rita later attended Amarillo College, where she graduated as a registered nurse. She was highly respected and deeply fulfilled in her work as a rehabilitation instructor at BSA Hospital.

After retiring, Rita and Don traveled extensively, visiting all fifty states, Canada, and several European countries. They loved hosting family and friends along the way. Rita was an expert navigator on road trips. Together, she and Don - a Khiva Shrine and Oriental Band member - visited numerous Shriners Hospitals for Children. After each trip, Rita spent hours creating detailed scrapbooks filled with memories she cherished.

Rita also founded a local chapter of the Red Hat Society. She delighted in planning tea parties, organizing games, and attending events, always dressed in her signature red hats and feather boas.

Most importantly, Rita was the heart of her family and will be remembered for her fierce love of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was happy cooking large meals for family gatherings and holiday celebrations.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don, of 63 years; her sister, Sandy Hopkins; and her son, Marc, who passed away at age 17.

She is survived by her brothers, Don VanDame (Janet Fritton) and Ed VanDame (Donna); her children, Chris Schrowangen (Rochelle) of Southlake, Texas; Donna Sims of Amarillo, Texas; and Kord T. Schrowangen (Melissa) of Amarillo, Texas; four grandchildren, Kord Seth Schrowangen (Kylie), Sabra Walker (Bubba), Boone Weber (Jordan), and Cassidy Melton (David); eleven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Sharing Memories of Rita

An Informal Gathering

Saturday, February 28, 2026
1:00-4:00 p.m.
Cox-Rowley Funeral Home
4180 Canyon Drive
Amarillo, Texas 79109

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Ladder of Smiles,
7418 E. 26th Street North, Wichita, KS 67226.

Ladder of Smiles is the primary philanthropic program of the Association of Shrine Oriental Bands, dedicated to supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children.