Rita Kathleen Allen

1936 - 2025

Rita Kathleen Allen, 89, of Nauvoo, Ill., passed into eternity peacefully at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 at her home.

She was born on June 22, 1936, in West Point, the daughter of Ludwig H. "Dugan" and Margaret B. (Menke) Pollpeter.

She graduated from St. Mary's High School in West Point and attended Iowa City Commercial College. She moved to Des Moines for secretarial work at USDA. Rita married John Charles Allen on Aug. 18, 1956 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point. They were married for 63 years.

Survivors include two daughters: Therese (Tom) Hayes and Margaret (Bill) Schneider; four sons: Patrick (Annie) Allen, Michael Allen, John L. (Debbie) Allen, and Charles D. (Ruth) Allen; nine grandchildren: Kim (Brad Macke) Hayes, Kate (Nick) Rutherford, David (Jess) Allen, Charles J. Allen, Jaclyn (Jamie) Casucci, Vaeda (Nathan) Hendricksen, Michelle (Eric) Grimes, David Richards, and Mary (Brenden Seigfried) Richards; one step-grandchild J.J. Frary; 11 great-grandchildren: Alexxis and James Mamon, Zoey, Elijah, and Elliott Grimes, Demaryius Bucher, Aiyana, Brentley, and Callie Hendrickson, Remington Allen, and Kylie Rutherford; three step-great-grandchildren: Madden, Hynley, and McCoy Frary; and five siblings: John (Rose) Pollpeter, Larry (Jeanne) Pollpeter, Stan (Bev) Pollpeter, Anita (Jerry) Miller, and Linda (Bob) Meier.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband John; and grandson Andrew.

Rita and John lived in various places in Iowa before moving to Illinois to live on the banks of the Mississippi River. They loved entertaining family and friends, hosting many fish fries and providing boat rides for skiing, tubing and pleasure.

After her children were older, Rita went back to work as a secretary at Sacred Heart Hospital in Fort Madison, was an accountant for Brenton Banks, Inc. in Des Moines and was the office manager for an industrial painting company. With her love for antiques, she eventually opened her own shop "Rita's Romantiques" for many years. She joined Maui-Quoi Questers of Keokuk, to broaden and share her love of antiques.

Rita's faith was an integral part of her life and she had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was a member of Ss. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Church where she was a Trustee for 20 years, an organist for 40 years, and was an active member of the Women's Club. She took care of the finances for the cemetery, was in charge of church decorating for many years and attended daily Mass. She also sang with the Nauvoo Senior Singers, especially entertaining at nursing homes at Christmas time.

A visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 at Schmitz-Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Nauvoo.

A Parish Rosary will be recited at 10:45 a.m. at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Nauvoo, following the Rosary a Mass of Christian Burial will be held with Father Tony Trosley as celebrant.

Burial will be in the Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials have been established in her memory for Ss Peter & Paul Catholic Church or Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic School.

Schmitz - Banks & Beals Funeral Home of Nauvoo is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.sbbfuneralhome.com.