Rita Schweitzer

RITA ELEANOR SCHWEITZER

Cedar Rapids

Rita Eleanor Schweitzer, 97, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, at Mercy Hallmar in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, at Fawcett Funeral Home, Winthrop, and continue until 10:30 a.m. Thursday. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Winthrop. The Rev. David Beckman will officiate. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery in Winthrop.

Survivors include her daughters, Geri (Paul) Hasley of Cedar Rapids and Joyce (Bob) Weger of Cedar Rapids; six grandchildren, Mark Schweitzer, Lisa Schweitzer (Andy Miller), Heather (Jared) Morris, John (Jen) Weger, Joe (Katie) Hasley and Elizabeth (Corey) Rubin; eight great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Gary; and four siblings, Deloris Gaffney, Leonard (Jenny) Gaffney, Margie (Charlie) Quinn and Betty Jean (Jack) Cohrs.

Rita was born Aug. 22, 1919, in Winthrop, to Martin and Nellie (Brophy) Gaffney. She was united in marriage to John Schweitzer on Dec. 27, 1943, in Winthrop. He passed away in 2009. She was a substitute teacher in Cedar Rapids for 27 years. Rita and John were charter members of St. Pius X Catholic Church. She was a devoted wife, gentle mother, generous grandmother and faithful friend. She was proud of her Irish heritage, had a remarkable memory and was a wonderful musician.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Hallmar for their care and support.

Memorial donations may be directed to St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Winthrop, Iowa.

Please leave online condolences for the family at www.fawcettsfuneralhome.com under obituaries.