Rita Votsmier
Rita A. Votsmier, 90, of Waukon died Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 28 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Burial was at St. Mary’s Cemetery in New Berlin, IL.
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, IL. In 1946, Rita graduated from New Berlin High School. She worked as a bookkeeper for most of her life for various banks and in retail.
August 10, 1950, she was united in marriage to William Votsmier at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Berlin, IL. 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 in Iowa. In 1980, they settled in Waukon, 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 in 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; her 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; her husband, Bill, in 2012; a brother, Dick (Ann) Meier; and a brother-in-law, Donnie Marr.
Casketbearers were Rita’s grandchildren and their spouses. Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
