RYCHNOVSKY, Reba (WATTS)

WATTS, RYCHNOVSKY, CRUM, KINDER, WILMES, ALLEE, SPAINHOWER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/16/2018 at 11:38:18

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, February 21, 2018

OBITUARY ~ REBA (WATTS) RYCHNOVSKY
May 07, 1936 ~ February 16, 2018

Reba Rychnovsky, daughter of Verl and Velma (Crum) Watts, was born May 7, 1936 at Cabool, MO Reba grew up near Cabool and attended the Cabool School District through the 10th grade. The family moved to the Diagonal area and she attended and graduated from Diagonal High School with the class of 1954. Following her graduation, she worked at Look magazine in Des Moines for a short time where she shared an apartment with her good friends Ruthie and Arlene and gained many wonderful memories.

On December 27, 1955, Reba and John Rychnovsky were united in marriage at the Catholic Church in Diagonal, Iowa. After their marriage, they moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan where John was stationed in the Air Force. Upon his discharge, they returned to Diagonal where they later purchased their first farm. To this marriage, three children were born: Patricia Lynn, Steven John, and Mary Lisa. Reba was a true farm wife helping not only with the home and children but also working alongside John on the farm. John stated she was the best farmhand he could ever have had.

Reba was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her family was the focus of her life and she was their constant companion, supporter, confidant or friend. She was there for their school activities, music events, baseball games, and grandparent days and could always be counted on to travel to the rescue to care for sick grandkids. Reba welcomed her children and grandchildren’s friends and spouses and loved them as her own. She loved to visit family and friends including travels to Washington DC, and San Diego, CA. A favorite trip was to Montana to visit her cousin and lifelong friend, Dorothy Mae Havens.

Reba especially loved sewing and working on projects with her close friend, Snookie. They enjoyed traveling together and going to craft and quilting stores looking for new ideas, often joined by close friends Sharon and Arlene and many others. Reba had many fond memories of laugh filled local outings with friends and recounting those times always brought her smiles and happiness. Reba made many quilts and was especially proud of the special quilts she made for each of her kids and grandkids and those will always be cherished. She loved cookbooks and shared many recipes with her Weight-Watcher friends. Reba and John belonged to a card party group with lifelong close friends and neighbors that added richly to Reba’s life. She especially loved playing cards, games, and putting puzzles together during times with her family and she always enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and tried to catch Jeopardy whenever possible. Reba most loved to smile and laugh and her many good laughs will be fondly remembered.

After Reba moved into Clearview Home in Clearfield, she received wonderful care during her illness from the nurses, caregivers and staff. She appreciated the visits, cards, and goodies she received during this time and made many new friends including Evelyn and Dick Brammer. She also very much enjoyed her many visits with Danny and Carol Ann Kinder and the company they gave her.

Reba peacefully passed away surrounded by her husband and family on February 16, 2018.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Dale Watts and her very close friend and sister-in-law Sue Rychnovsky.

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband of 62 years, John Rychnovsky of Diagonal; her children Patty (Kieran) Wilmes of Maryville, MO, Steve (Barb) Rychnovsky of Fairfax Station, VA, Mary (Bob) Allee of Columbia, MO; four grandchildren Jessa Lynn Spainhower of San Diego, CA, Eric Travis Allee (Solange), Adam Robert Allee, Tyler John Allee, all from Columbia, MO; one brother Dean (Nancy) Watts of Peoria, IL; sister-in-law Lenna Watts of Pekin, IL; and brother-in-law Lawrence Rychnovsky of Diagonal. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. She will be missed by many.

Rosary was led by Joan Jackson at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 19, 2018 at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.

Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Officiating was Rev. David Polich. Music was led by Betsy Keenan.

Casketbearers were Eric Allee, Adam Allee, Tyler Allee, Terry Young, Jim Bentley and Eric Walter. Honorary pallbearers were Snookie George, Arlene Sobotka, Sharon Sobotka, Jessa Spainhower, and Becky Stamps.

Burial will be at a later date at the Bohemian Cemetery at Diagonal, Iowa.

Memorials can be left in her name to the Saint Joseph Catholic Church and the United Church of Diagonal.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2018

Ringgold Obituaries maintained by Tony Mercer.
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