116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Rita Achterberg
RITA ACHTERBERG
Williamsburg
Rita Van Steenhuyse Achterberg, 73, died of natural causes on Friday, July 31, 2015, in Williamsburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at a later date and she will be inurned in the Van Steenhuyse family plot at St. Mary's Cemetery in Williamsburg.
Rita Ann Van Steenhuyse was born Jan. 26, 1942, in Van Horne, the youngest of six children of Walter and Louise (Simmons) Van Steenhuyse. Rita grew up in Williamsburg and graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1960. She attended Iowa State University before marrying Donald Achterberg in 1963. They moved to the Los Angeles area in 1965 where they raised their three children, Michael, Alan and Ann Marie.
Rita excelled as a full-time mother to her children and was ever-present in their lives. Over the years, she was active in numerous volunteer positions for her parish and community. She later enjoyed a successful career as a residential real estate agent in Palos Verdes, Calif. Don and Rita divorced in 2001 after 38 years of marriage.
Rita then married Ed Bower and they moved back to Williamsburg in 2004, where she was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She enjoyed working parttime at Von Essen Galerie on the Town Square.
Rita is survived by Ed; Don; her three children, Michael (Patrice) Achterberg of Rolling Hills Estates Calif., Alan Achterberg of Irvine, Calif., and Ann Marie (Darin) Crew of Lisle, Ill.; four grandchildren, Dean Achterberg, Chatelaine (Chet) Achterberg, Ian Crew and Sophia Crew; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Ray, Gerald, Leo and Earl; and sister, Mary Frazier.
Rita always lovingly put everyone else first. She never wanted to complain or steal the spotlight. Rita had many close friends and was well loved by all in her communities through the years.
Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home, Vinton, is caring for Rita and her family.
Condolences may be left at their website www.vsrfh.com, where inurnment and life celebration specifics will appear when available.
Daily Newsletters