Rita Lavonne (Big Medicine) Island was born on June 13, 1952 in Watonga, Oklahoma to Joseph Big Medicine and Emma Jean (Black Bear) Big Medicine. She passed away on September 2, 2026 in Weatherford, Oklahoma at the age of 74.

Rita was raised in Watonga and graduated from Watonga High School. She then attended Bacone College and later transferred to California State University in Long Beach, California. She came back home to Oklahoma and earned her Certified Nursing Assistant certification. Rita spent her working years in nursing homes and doing home health care. Over the years, she lived in El Reno, Watonga, Woodward and Weatherford, Oklahoma, as well as Lame Deer, Montana.

Rita was a proud member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, and her Native heritage was an important and cherished part of her life. She expressed her love and dedication to her culture through her talent for creating Native American regalia. Rita was skilled in making all aspects of regalia, putting her time, creativity, and craftsmanship into each piece. She especially enjoyed beadwork and creating pieces for others. Rita also danced when she was younger and enjoyed spending time with her mother, Emma Jean Blackbear. When she traveled, she often went to Montana to visit relatives and friends on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.

Rita was a strong believer in Jehovah's New System of Things and held firmly to her faith in the resurrection. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she looked forward to the day when she would be reunited with family, friends, and loved ones. Rita enjoyed studying with the Jehovah's Witnesses whenever she had the opportunity and found comfort and strength in her faith and the hope it gave her.

Rita enjoyed traveling, watching television and movies, camping, taking walks, and spending time at the casino. Above all, Rita always made time for her children, who were especially important to her. She made sure her children were fed, clothed, and always had a home, and she consistently put their needs first and was always there to help and care for her family. . She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and would travel to New Mexico and Colorado to visit her grandson Ezekiel Maliek Whiskers and she loved her granddaughter Stormy Anrita Good Bear of Montana.

Rita also spent a great deal of time with her son, Henry Limpy III, making sure he was cared for and looked after. She had a caring heart and often reached out to family members and others who were hurting, always wanting to help in whatever way she could. Rita believed strongly in family, friends, and relatives and always hoped for the best for everyone. She will be remembered for her kindness, her willingness to help others, and the warmth and care she showed to those around her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Joe Big Medicine, Jr.; son, Josh Big Medicine; daughters, Tara and Rikki Big Medicine; and sister, Roberta Rose Whistling Elk.

Rita is survived by son, Henry Limpy, III of Weatherford, Oklahoma; son, Anthony Limpy of El Reno, Oklahoma; daughter, Emma Limpy of Lame Deer, Montana; and son, Keith Island, Jr. of Custer County, Oklahoma.

An all night wake will be held at the Concho Emergency Response Center on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, beginning at 7:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at the Concho Emergency Response Center on Thursday, September 10, 2026, beginning at 2:00 PM. Rita's final resting place will be in Montana.