Obituary of Rita E. Eckrich

Rita E. Eckrich, age 87 of North Liberty died peacefully Saturday, December 27, 2003, at the Crestview Care Center in West Branch. Honoring her wishes, no funeral services are planned; cremation services were provided by Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City. Memorial donations can be sent to the funeral home in her memory. Online condolences may be sent for Rita’s family through our website @www.gayandciha.com. Rita Eileen Eckrich was born April 29, 1916, in Oxford, Iowa the daughter of John and Mary (Burns) Schneider. She married Carl Eckrich, January 2, 1935. The couple farmed in the Cosgrove area for many years. She also worked outside the home managing the Dairy Queen in Oxford, working at Big Ten Inn, and retiring from the Iowa River Power Company. Her family includes five daughters, Carol Meade-Potter and her husband, Glenn of Tiffin, Doris Swails and her husband, Richard of Solon, Annie Moel of Coralville, Lana Ziegler and her husband, Larry of Florida, and Barb Bonham of California; two sons, Jerome Echrich of Arizona, and Joe Eckrich of Claremore, OK; twenty-one grandchildren; many great-grandchildren, and one brother, Effie Schneider of Cosgrove. She was preceded in death by her parents, two daughters, Mary Lenz and Patricia Grell, one grandson, Randy Lenz, and a son-in-law, Gene Meade. Rita’s love of life was obvious; she enjoyed visiting with all, sharing her great wit with anyone that would listen. Those who knew Rita knew her love of family, a great mother who will be remembered for much, but one memory that stands out is her love of playing the slots at Rhythm City.