Rita Elaine Lubben

QUINCY -- Rita Elaine Lubben of Quincy, passed away Saturday (April 4, 2015) at Southfield Wellness Center in Webster City, Iowa. She and her husband moved to Webster City a year ago so they could be closer to their daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was 91.

Rita was born to Richard and Edna (Strothman) Ahern on Feb. 16, 1924. She married Melvin C. Lubben, son of Henry and Kate (Rosendale) Lubben on May 10, 1946 in Golden. They were soon to be married 69 years.

Rita graduated from Quincy High School in 1941. Her places of employment were Quincy Compressor for five years; in the home for Gray, Hunter and Stenn; Vasen and Bartelt Insurance Company; March of Dimes; Central Fibre for a year; and Moorman Manufacturing Co. for 32 years. She retired from Moorman's in 1985.

Rita was baptized at Immanuel Baptist Church. Rita and Mel were members of Luther Memorial Church from the time they were married until her death. She and Mel volunteered in the church pantry and clothes closet. Rita was a substitute Sunday school teacher. She and Mel delivered Meals on Wheels for 25 years. Her hobbies were collecting antiques and especially dolls, which she had many hundreds of. She enjoyed making people laugh, going to garage sales, auctions and rummage sales. Rita was an avid reader.

Rita's parents had ten children, 5 boys and 5 girls.

She is survived by her husband Mel; daughter Linda Barrick; five grandchildren, Justin (Emily) Barrick of Perth, Australia, Sara (Jon) Bidler of Maple Grove, Minn., Emily Barrick of Sacramento, Calif., Alex and Zach Barrick of Minneapolis; four great-grandchildren, Jonny and Danny of Maple Grove, Rhys and Piper of Perth, Australia; sister Pat (George) Wagner of Ballwin, Mo.; a brother, Dan of Los Angeles; and more than 60 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Mel Jr.; grandparents; sisters, Delores Long, Marian Gorman and Stella Goodwin; brothers, Richard Jr, Harvey, Gene and Wells.

Rita was at peace with the knowledge of her faith.

SERVICES: She donated her body to the Iowa City School of Medicine.

ARRANGEMENTS: Boman Funeral Home, Webster City, Iowa.

WEBSITE: www.Bomanfh.com.

Condolences may be expressed online at whig.com.