1928
Rita
2018
Rita Votsmier
February 4, 1928 — July 24, 2018
Rita A. Votsmier, 90, of Waukon, IA, died Tuesday, July 24, 2018, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 28th, at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in New Berlin, IL. Friends may call from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Friday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 7:00 PM scripture service. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon, Winneshiek Hospice in Decorah, IA, and Good Samaritan Center in Waukon.
Rita Ann Votsmier was born February 4, 1928, on the family farm in New Berlin, IL, the oldest of five children to Earl and Rose (Fuchs) Meier. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Berlin. In 1946, Rita graduated from New Berlin High School. Rita worked as a bookkeeper for most of her life for various banks and in retail. On August 10, 1950, she was united in marriage to William Votsmier at St. Mary's Catholic Church. While Bill was in the Navy, they lived for a couple of years in Norfolk, VA. The couple moved back to Illinois, and due to Bill's job, moved around quite frequently in Illinois (New Berlin, Kankakee, Waterloo, and Lincoln) until moving to Dyersville, IA. In 1980, they settled in Waukon, IA, where they owned and operated Town & Country True Value Hardware for over 30 years.
Rita was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon and was active throughout her life in several church groups. She enjoyed tending to her flowers, but in particular loved growing roses. A great cook and baker, Rita was known for her tasty fried chicken and the best chocolate chip cookies; she instilled her love of baking to her grandchildren. She and Bill loved to travel, spending many winters in South Padre Island, TX, and taking many trips to visit other family members.
She is survived by her two sons: Chuck (Lois) of Waukon and Mark (Anita) of The Woodlands, TX; grandchildren: Jennifer (Lars) Palmer and Scott (Leeta) Votsmier, both of Waukon, Nicole Votsmier of Dallas, TX, and Monica Votsmier of Houston, TX; a great-grandson Henry Palmer; her siblings: Ed (Sandy) Meier of Jacksonville, IL, Judy Marr of New Berlin, IL, and Tom (Ruth Ann) Meier of Durham, NC; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bill in 2012; a brother Dick (Ann) Meier; and a brother-in-law Donnie Marr.
Casketbearers are Rita's grandchildren and their spouses.
Rita Ann Votsmier was born February 4, 1928, on the family farm in New Berlin, IL, the oldest of five children to Earl and Rose (Fuchs) Meier. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Berlin. In 1946, Rita graduated from New Berlin High School. Rita worked as a bookkeeper for most of her life for various banks and in retail. On August 10, 1950, she was united in marriage to William Votsmier at St. Mary's Catholic Church. While Bill was in the Navy, they lived for a couple of years in Norfolk, VA. The couple moved back to Illinois, and due to Bill's job, moved around quite frequently in Illinois (New Berlin, Kankakee, Waterloo, and Lincoln) until moving to Dyersville, IA. In 1980, they settled in Waukon, IA, where they owned and operated Town & Country True Value Hardware for over 30 years.
Rita was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon and was active throughout her life in several church groups. She enjoyed tending to her flowers, but in particular loved growing roses. A great cook and baker, Rita was known for her tasty fried chicken and the best chocolate chip cookies; she instilled her love of baking to her grandchildren. She and Bill loved to travel, spending many winters in South Padre Island, TX, and taking many trips to visit other family members.
She is survived by her two sons: Chuck (Lois) of Waukon and Mark (Anita) of The Woodlands, TX; grandchildren: Jennifer (Lars) Palmer and Scott (Leeta) Votsmier, both of Waukon, Nicole Votsmier of Dallas, TX, and Monica Votsmier of Houston, TX; a great-grandson Henry Palmer; her siblings: Ed (Sandy) Meier of Jacksonville, IL, Judy Marr of New Berlin, IL, and Tom (Ruth Ann) Meier of Durham, NC; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents; husband Bill in 2012; a brother Dick (Ann) Meier; and a brother-in-law Donnie Marr.
Casketbearers are Rita's grandchildren and their spouses.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Rita Votsmier, please visit our flower store.
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