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Rita Ellen Dean
RITA ELLEN DEAN
Cedar Rapids
Rita Ellen Dean, 70, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died on Saturday, May 5, 2018, at Mercy Hospital, Cedar Rapids, after a brief illness.
Per Rita's wishes, her body was cremated. A Celebration of Life service is planned for June.
Rita Ellen Jeffries was born Nov. 20, 1947, in Iowa City, to Grace Catherine Jeffries (Brick) and Frank Jeffries. She graduated from West Branch High School in 1966. She married Charles Robert "Bob" Dean on
Nov. 17, 1967, in Davenport, Iowa.
She is survived by her sons, Jeffrey Dean
(Vicki Decker) and Robert Dean; grandchildren, Alexander Dean, Andrew Dean, Beckham Dean (Brazil), Tiernan Dean (Brazil), Aaron Dean, Lucas Dean, Grace Conway and Noah Conway; and a special sister-in-law, Donna Dean Homewood.
Rita started working for Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids in 1974. She was a unit secretary on the general medical floor for 39 years. Her passion toward patient care and maintaining a sense of sanity and stability was appreciated by all who worked with her. She was the person people turned to for comfort, honesty and empathy. While working at Mercy, she forged lifelong friendships with numerous co-workers. She retired after suffering a brain aneurysm in the summer of 2013.
Rita was known as a kind and compassionate person who went out of her way to help people. Whether it was giving a ride to a pair of senior citizens standing in the freezing Iowa winter or taking care of people in her family who had fallen ill, Rita put the needs of others before her own. She was a loving mother, wife and grandmother. She enjoyed traveling, especially to Lake of the Ozarks, completing crossword puzzles and good conversation. She also was an avid Hawkeyes fan. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, Jeffrey and Robert request a donation to The Ghosh Center's Blesie Tree Foundation, 1951 51st St. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. The Blesie Tree pays kindness forward by helping cancer patients with everyday needs.
Rita was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Bob, who died Nov. 13, 2013; and her parents, Grace and Frank Jeffries.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Mercy Hospital for their compassionate care and comfort.
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