Rita Lai, age 70, of Derby, Kansas died February 2, 2026 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas.

Rita was born in Senden, Germany alongside 7 siblings to Helena & Erwin Sr Baron. In the early to mid 1970s, she worked as a waitress in Ulm, Germany where she would meet an American GI, William Lai. They had their first son, Lothar Lai. When Lothar was two years old, Rita & William moved to Houston Texas to start a new life. Later on they had their second child Liesel. Eventually moving to Irving Texas, they would have their final child Lutz. She moved often, finally residing in Derby Kansas.

She was determined and always took pride in her work. She always did what was needed to provide for her family. She was a loving and caring mother and grandmother and will be dearly missed.

Rita was preceded in death by her father Erwin Sr, her mother Helena, her sisters Monika, Sonja, and Ava, and her grandson Brenden.

Rita is survived by her sons Lothar & Lutz Lai, daughter Liesel Pollman, grandsons Keller Lai and Heston Pollman, granddaughters Olivia Lai and Harper Pollman, and 4 siblings.