Rita M. Hafkemeyer, age 90, of Sherrill, passed away at 8:08 p.m., on Thursday, March 7, 2024, surrounded by her family at UnityPoint Health Finley Hospital.  To honor Rita’s life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., on Friday, March 15, 2024, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 5131 Sherrill Road.  There will also be visitation from 9:00 a.m. until 10:15 a.m., on Saturday, March 16, 2024.  The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m., at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, with Rev. Tyler Raymond officiating.  Burial will be in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery.  Behr Funeral Home is assisting Rita’s family.

Rita was born on September 7, 1933, in Lansing, Iowa, daughter of John and Leona (Kelleher) Weber.

Rita graduated from high school and on May 9, 1953, married the love of her life, John “Jack” Hafkemeyer.  They were blessed with 4 children and 51 years of marriage before Jack passed away on September 10, 2004.  Rita was an excellent wife and mom who also devoted 26 years to her career at Schlueter Insurance as an agent.  Her faith was an important aspect of her life as evidenced by her long time membership at Sts. Peter and Paul Church.  Rita was a member of the Rosary Society and volunteered countless hours helping out with church functions.  She also volunteered with the Dubuque Arboretum and the SHIIP Program through Finley Hospital.  Rita loved the beauty of nature and caring for her garden and all of her flowers brought her great joy.  In their younger years Rita and Jack had a cottage in Buenie and spent lots of time on the river.  Family was always Rita’s main focus and she loved spending time with everyone as often as possible.  Rita had a wonderful 90 years here on Earth.  They weren’t always easy, but she took each day in stride with a positive attitude and trusted that God had a plan.  She was deeply loved and will be missed greatly.

Those left to cherish Rita’s memory include

her children,
John (Sue) Hafkemeyer,
Katherine (Ray) Ober,
Daniel (Carol) Hafkemeyer
and Kevin Hafkemeyer;

a son-in-law,
Frederick (Cathy) Hedley;

12 grandchildren,
Nicholas Bishop, Lauren (fiancé Cormac Siegert) Czeshinski, Vicki Rote, Ray Ober III, Tamrya (Jason) Champion, Emily (Anthony) Herbst, Ryan (Rae) Hedley, Frederick (Kathryn) Hedley, Henry Hafkemeyer, Nicole Hafkemeyer, Meagan Hafkemeyer and McKenzie Hafkemeyer;

13 great-grandchildren,
Tyler (Sarah) Rote, Nicole Rote, Diana Ober, Rachel Ober, Elise Henry, Anna Hedley, Carter Hedley, Agatha Herbst, Calliope Hedley, Sophie Hedley, Jack Hedley, Indigo Hafkemeyer and Maya Hedley;

and her siblings,
Ester Welsh
and John (Stella Spalla) Weber.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John “Jack” Hafkemeyer; and a brother-in-law, Bill Welsh.

Rita’s family would like to thank her special “angels”, Deb and Jerry Finkenaur, Doris and Roger LaBarge and Harry and Suzie Hefel, for all of their love, friendship and support.  Also a special thanks to the Sherrill Fire Department and the nurses and staff at Unitypoint Health Finley Hospital for their kindness and assistance.

The family will thankfully receive your support through greeting cards and memorials in Rita’s memory which may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Rita Hafkemeyer Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com