Obituaries : Rita Blake

Rita Kay Blake was born on December 30, 1949, in Vinton, Iowa, to her parents DuWayne and Lillian (Meyer) Schirm. She grew up on her family's farm in Garrison, Iowa, where she attended school, graduating in 1968 from Garrison High School. She had the esteemed privilege to serve as her class Valedictorian and during her high school years, she excelled at many things; basketball, percussion, baton twirling, softball, dance, 4H, piano, cheerleading and bowling. After graduation, Rita went on to attend the Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, Illinois, where she was working towards getting her Medical Technician Degree. She later transferred to the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, where she received a full ride scholarship, earning her bachelor's degree.

She began her career working as a lab technician in Freeport, Illinois, in 1972. She married the love of her life, Steven Blake on September 2, 1972, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Keystone, Iowa. From 1975 to 1986, Rita was a lab technician at Schoitz Hospital in Waterloo, and from 1986 to 2013 at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo, where she retired as lab manager.

Rita and Steve were blessed with three beautiful daughters: Stephanie, Megan, and Alison. Together, the couple raised their family in Waterloo. When Rita wasn't busy working or raising her daughters, she was active in her church, Grace Lutheran Church in Waterloo, where she taught 3- and 4-year-old Sunday School and confirmation. Rita was very charitable and loved to give to organizations that meant something to her including the following: Balance Autism, the Alzheimer's Association, ASPCA, Autism Speaks, Grace Church, United Way, Cancer Center Development Fund, Cedar Valley Hospice and several teachers organizations.

She enjoyed gardening, being outdoors, and was passionate about healthy eating and exercise. She loved taking family trips, especially those to Canada. Rita was kind, had a heart of Gold, was beautiful on the inside and out. She was a soundboard for many people of all walks of life, was extremely hardworking, driven and welcoming to others. She always put everyone else's needs, before her own. Rita was very involved in her children and grandchildren's extracurricular activities; her family would say Rita was the best Grandma ever and they could have never asked for anybody more special; she was the best that they came. She will be missed more than words can ever express.

Rita is survived by her husband Steve of Waterloo; daughters Stephanie (Jason) Gomez, Megan (Don) Tjernagel and Ali Blake (Andrew Howe), all of Waterloo; grandchildren Jordyn, Jalynn, Jaryn, Jaynason, Jacyn, Banner, and Lane; sisters Dixie Dethlefs and Lori Wilken of Waterloo; many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews; her beloved companion, her dog Lilly Ann. She rejoins in Heaven her parents; brother Steve (Marcia) Schirm and sister Jodi Schirm.

Rita passed away on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo, after a valiant battle with cancer, surrounded by a room full of people that loved her exceptionally. A memorial visitation for Rita will be held on Thursday, February 16th from 4:00 PM until the time of the memorial service at 6:00 PM at Locke Funeral Home at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Avenue, Waterloo, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the family, where they will donate to a charity that meant something dear to Rita. Memories of Rita and messages of condolence may be left for the family at www.lockefuneralservices.com.