Rita Ann Blanchard

Rita Ann Blanchard, 85, of Davenport passed away on Thursday, April 20th, 2017. Funeral services will be held at 12 on Wednesday, April 26th at the Runge Mortuary. Visitation will be from 4-7 on Tuesday, April 25th at the mortuary. Burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery.

She was born Rita Ann Stevens on October 28th, 1931 in Waterman, Illinois to Otis and Edna (Griswold) Stevens. Rita was united in marriage to Bill Blanchard on December 9th, 1955. He preceded her in death on November 25th, 1993. Rita was strong, smart and hardworking. She retired from a long, respected career as a bookkeeper at The Rock Island Arsenal in 1991.

As a child Rita lost her beloved parents within months of each other and was orphaned by the age of eleven. This deep hurt shaped who she was and formed in her a strong strength of character that was unmatched. She was the very definition of an overcomer. She was tough but not hard, sassy but humble. She got the better of this life. The space in her heart that was left by the loss of her parents she filled by loving her children and grandchildren with an incredibly great love. Along with having a successful career and raising a family she traveled the world. In her life she traveled to forty-eight states and many different countries. She saw everything from The Northern Lights to the Eiffel Tower. From a small town farmer’s daughter to a great adventurer. Rita led a big and busy life into her later years. She was an active member of St. John’s Methodist Church, loved Iowa Hawkeye Basketball and playing cards. She was always there for her grandchildren and to them she was and will always be Home.

Those left to honor her memory include sons Bruce, Brian and Brad (Esther). Grandchildren Mike (Raquel), Lisa, Cory (Megan), Nicole (Larry), Ashton (Stephen) and Patrick. Great Grandchildren Elijah, Samuel, Angelica, Zoe, Bella, Jackson, Ava and Josephine.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by sister DeEtte and brother Edwin ‘Pete’.

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