Henrietta Roos

Rita Roos was born as Henrietta Jilek in Benton, Illinois on April 7, 1930. Her parents were Thomas and Emma Jilek who were both of Czechoslovakian origin, and she had two older brothers, Otto and Robert ""Bob"" Jilek. The family lived on a farm but then moved to Chicago, where Rita grew up and attended Harrison Technical High School, graduating in 1948. Rita was active in the Socol youth athletic league, was given an Athlete of the Year award, and was Salutatorian of her High School class. After High School Rita attended Northwestern nursing school and obtained her nursing degree. While in nursing school in she met a young medical student named Richard ""Dick"" Roos who would become her husband. After Dick finished his pediatric internship at Cook County Hospital, he and Rita were married on September 15, 1951. Dick received a special draft notice several days before they were married, and soon had to ship out as an Air Force medical officer to Japan during the Korean conflict. Rita traveled on a cargo ship to join her husband in Japan. Their first son, David, was born in Japan in 1953. After completing his tour of duty in Japan, the family moved to Denver, Colorado in 1954 as Dick completed his pediatric residency at Children's Hospital. Their second son, Karl, was born that year during his father's residency. Upon completing that residency in 1956, the family moved to Boulder, Colorado, which became the true home of Rita's heart and young family. Dick started the first private pediatric practice in Boulder. Their third son, Randy, was born in 1957 and Laura, Dick and Rita's daughter, was born in 1958. In 1959, with four children under the age of six, Dick was in a serious car accident which resulted in partial paralysis of his right arm. Rita managed his recovery while also caring for their young children, and was able to motivate him to return to the practice of medicine when he felt that he would be unable to continue working as a doctor. Through her encouragement, he had a successful practice for decades to follow. Rita's life was focused on the family, caring for the children, her home and her husband. Rita spent countless hours transporting her children and attending sporting events, school activities, and social occasions. Even with the significant time she committed to caring for the children, she and Dick always stayed very busy with social activities. They were members of an investment club, an amateur thespian group, and dance club. Rita was active in Republican politics and found time to volunteer for campaign work and as a voting judge. Dick and Rita were enthusiastic fans of spectator sports, especially football. Along with other close friends, they had season tickets to C.U. Buffalo football games beginning in 1956; also, they religiously watched Bronco games on television. Rita became a true football expert and enjoyed watching games whenever possible. Dick and Rita were avid skiers and also enjoyed playing tennis. For many years, they would ski every Friday at Winter Park. The family often went on ski vacations each winter and traveled on summer car trips throughout the country. They formed many close friendships during the years in Boulder that were very significant and meaningful in their lives. In addition, Dick and Rita built a mountain cabin at Big Elk Meadows in 1964. The family spent many weekends and vacations over the years at Big Elk. It was a wonderful place for Dick, Rita and the children to play, swim, hike and enjoy being together with the family and friends. Dick and Rita particularly enjoyed tennis games, sing-alongs, skits and parties with their Big Elk friends. Rita loved nature and especially enjoyed the wild birds and wildflowers. She also loved animals, including the family pets. Rita took great pride in her children and enjoyed discussing their accomplishments with anyone who would listen. David followed in his father's footsteps and became a Pediatrician. Karl chose electrical engineering and started several design engineering businesses. Randy obtained a Business degree and works for an energy company. Laura pursued a Law degree and works for an international bank. After his retirement in 1985, Dick and Rita began traveling more frequently, including to Europe and Mexico, and eventually began spending winter months in Kona, Hawaii. Rita cherished their friends, beaches, food and special times with Dick on the island, to which they returned several times. When Dick began needing medical care at home in the nineties, she devoted herself to his home treatments and medical management. This required Rita to take charge of coordinating and providing transportation, care and moral support throughout numerous hospital stays, doctor appointments and special treatments. Rita's nursing skills, persistence and love for her husband were Dick's best medicine. Rita lost her best friend and life companion when Dick died on May 12, 1998. Although she survived him for eleven years, she never stopped mentioning how much she missed their lives together. After Dick's death, Rita remained in Boulder and tried to continue some of the activities she had enjoyed with him, including C.U. football games and travel to Hawaii. In 2000, her health condition required relocating to Aurora, Colorado to be close to two of her sons who had settled there. She continued to spend time with her children and five grandchildren as much as possible. Although she had ongoing difficulties, Rita had the resilience to overcome several serious medical problems and with her strong spirit, was able to live independently up to her death on November 7, 2009. Her family and friends will miss Rita's sparkling blue eyes, her gentle smile, her loving ways, and her many words of encouragement. Memorial Service, Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 6:00PM, Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 11150 E. Dartmouth Avenue, Aurora. Services to conclude in the chapel.