Obituary of Rita Mae Miller

Rita Miller, 72 of Iowa City, formerly of Ackley died Friday, June 25, 2010, at her home in Iowa City. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 29, 2010, at the West Friesland Cemetery near Ackley, Iowa, followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments till 4 p.m. at the Ackley First Methodist Church. A celebration of Rita’s life will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, June 30, 2010, at the Northridge Pavilion in Coralville. Memorial donations can be made in Rita’s memory to Iowa City Hospice or Mercy Hospital Foundation. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com . Rita Mae Heitland was born July 2, 1937, near Ackley, Iowa the daughter of Harvey and Margaret (Kugel) Heitland. She graduated salutatorian of her high school class in Ackley in 1955. On August 14, 1955, she was united in marriage to Harry L. Miller at the First Methodist Church in Ackley. In 1956, they moved to Iowa City where together they raised their family while she worked for many years as an administrative clerk at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Rita enjoyed many things in life, her garden, cooking for family and friends, watching game shows, doing crossword puzzles and collecting Hummel & Isabel Bloom figurines. She loved to travel, especially to places of historical significance, where she would always mange to find little shops specializing in hand-crafted wares. She wasn’t one to pass up a theme park with all the rides. A more devoted Hawkeye fan would be hard to find, she and Harry had season tickets to both football and basketball for many years. Adventuresome, outgoing, fun loving, and one that loved being mom and grandma, this was Rita! Her family includes her children, Randall Miller (Marge) of Urbandale, IA; Dawn Neppel (Brian) of Iowa City; Debra Miller (Gary Horrell) of Homosassa, FL; and Scott Miller (Laura) of Lone Tree; grandchildren, Nathan, Hannah, Harrison, Harmon and Lilian Miller, Matthew and Daniel Neppel. She was preceded in death by her parents, her second mother Jeannette Abbas, and her husband Harry Miller. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Rita’s family and her services.