Block, Rita (1929 - 2012)

BLOCK, NEHL, KLOEWER, COLLINS, SMAY, DEMPSEY, LAUX

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 4/9/2013 at 16:13:00

Posted by permission

Rita M. Block - 83

Rita Marie Block was born on December 25, 1929, to James and Catherine ( Kloewer) Nehl near Defiance, Iowa. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance. Rita attended St. Paul’s Grade School in Defiance and graduated from St. Paul’s High School with the Class of 1947.

On June 27, 1950, Rita was united in marriage to Gerald "Jerry" Block at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. Rita and Jerry then made their home in Earling, Iowa. There were four children born to this union: Gail, Leo, Lois, and Mary.

Jerry died on June 4, 1964, in Harlan, Iowa, leaving Rita to raise her four children ages two to nine. That fall, Rita went to work at the Hot Lunch Program at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Earling, Iowa. After retiring in 1998, Rita continued to live in Earling where she was a member in the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court St. Katherine No. 266 of Earling for over sixty-two years. She loved sewing and doing alterations for others, even taking her designs to local craft fairs. She was also active in the Curcillo movement and Teen’s Encounter Christ.

After raising four children as a single parent, feeding thousands of school kids lunches everyday and sewing countless stitches into clothes and quilts, it was time for her to go home. She died on Thursday, January 17, 2013 at the Midlands Living Center in Council Bluffs, Iowa just twenty-three days past her eighty-third birthday. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Jerry, and sister Alma.

Rita is survived by her children: Gail Block and his wife Rita of Waterloo, Nebraska, Leo Block and his wife Cheryl of Omaha, Nebraska, Lois Collins of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Mary and her husband Steve Smay of Council Bluffs, Iowa, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren; sisters: Delores "Dee" Dempsey and Jean "Tudy" Laux both of Omaha, Nebraska.

Rev. Michael Berner celebrated the 10:30 AM Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, January 21, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa. Honorary casket bearers were Julia Zoss, Breanne Bartek, Mike Block, Daniel Block, Lindsey Block, Jeff Smay, and John Smay. Inurnment was held at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Earling.