Rita "Emas" Rosalez (nee Chavez), age 75 of Lansing, IL, formerly of the South and East Sides of Chicago, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. She is survived by her daughters: Naomi (Benjamin DeJesus) Rosalez and Andrea (Ruben Davila Sr.) Rosalez; grandchildren: Nia (Adam) Hoefler, Lissa Barrios, Ruben Davila Jr and family, Mariah (Anthony) Davila, Nadia (Jacob) Torres, and Andrew Davila; and great grandchildren: Angel Vellon, Lorelei Hoefler, Malakai Vellon, Liam Hoefler, Ruben A. Davila, Matteo Carrillo, and Mavis Davila. Rita is also survived by several siblings: Gloria Chavez-Gomez, Arthur (San Juana Maria) Chavez Sr., Jose (Doreen) Chavez Sr., Victor (Tina) Chavez Sr., Raquel (Paul) Galbraith, Jesus (Louise) Chavez, Celia (Michael) O'Brien, and fond aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Rita was welcomed to Heaven by her husband: Jose A. Rosalez; parents: Carmen G. and Antonio A. Chavez, brothers, Antonio G. Chavez and Rudolfo G. Chavez; sister, Juanita Chavez, and granddaughter, Alexis J. Cortes.

Friends are invited to visit with Rita's family on Friday, May 8, 2026 from 3:00 – 8:00 PM at the Schroeder-Lauer Funeral Home, 3227 Ridge Rd., Lansing, IL. Funeral services for Rita will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Mark Frazee from the Cornerstone Church in Lansing officiating. Rita will be laid to rest in St. Mary Cemetery in Evergreen Park, IL.

Rita retired from the Illinois Department of Human Rights and was also employed by the "original" Gayety's Candies and Ice Cream Shop. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She will always be remembered for her love, kindness, and help to others, her devotion to her family and sharing the word and promises of God. And especially her phone calls saying, "I just called to say I Love You and I mean it from the bottom of my heart." (The words from Stevie Wonder's song).