Rita A. Baker

Rita A. Baker, age 89, of Asbury, IA, completed her earthly journey on Nov. 10, 2024, at Luther Manor Grand Meadows, while surrounded by her loving family.  To honor Rita’s life, a memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, at the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 3200 Asbury Rd, with Rev. Matthew Agee Officiating.  Family and friends are invited to join in fellowship prior to the service from 9:00-11:00 a.m.  Burial will be in the Linwood Mausoleum.  The Tri-State Cremation Center is humbly serving Rita’s family.

Rita was born on March 18, 1935, in Nordholz, Germany, a daughter to Paul and Erna (Struhs) Neugebauer.  As a young woman who spoke no English, she crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the MS Italia in August of 1955 to pursue the American dream.  She eventually met her soulmate, John F. Baker, and the two were united in marriage and blessed with many wonderful years together and a blended family of their very own to love and nurture together. 

Rita possessed an amazing work ethic and faithfully utilized it until she was 84 years old.  She found great joy in the knowledge that she was able to pass this trait along to her 5 children as well.  Rita was our fiercest champion and always provided unconditional love to her family and friends.

Her Euchre skills were unmatched, although her son-in-law’s often accused her of cheating.  Rita never lost a game of Yahtzee to her grandchildren, although her math tabulations often drew close scrutiny. No family gathering was complete without Rita’s homemade German Potato Salad, which affectionally became known as “Heaven in a Pot.”

She enjoyed her work at Ring’s Restaurant and eventually made her way to Fashion Touch Dry Cleaners where she spent over 42 years and made many lifelong friends along the way.

Even though she never had a driver’s license, Rita taught all her children to drive and was lovingly referred to as a human Garmin as she could navigate her way across the U.S. without any issues.  Her son-in-law even took the approach to nickname his Garmin, Rita, in her honor.

Rita’s grandchildren absolutely loved and adored her without hesitation.  They cherished being part of “The Clan” and all the love she bestowed upon them each and every day of her life.  We will miss Rita more than words could depict, but we can be sure that Heaven has gained a very bright light today while our world appears just a little dimmer without her among us.

Those left to cherish the memory of Rita include,

her five children,

Deborah (Michael) Clemens,

Barbara (Jeffry) Potts,

Steve (Jerry) Koeller-Hammel,

Donna (Rodney) Clemen,

and Kevin (Tracy) Koeller, all of Dubuque, IA.

her grandchildren,

Tracy (Dan) Gurdak, Tammy (Eric) Dupont, Austin (Tracy) Clemens, Kathryn (Jason) Clarke, Abigail (Blaine) Bertsch, Alexander Potts, Kelly (Brian) White, Kyle (Lindsey) Clemen and Alexis Koeller;

her great-grandchildren,

Rylan Mours, Riley Dupont, Landon Dupont, Monroe Clarke, Ledger Clarke, Clara White, Charlie White, Annie White, Penelope Bertsch, Gwendolyn Bertsch, Wren Clemen, Grady Clemen, Crosby Clemen, Maeve Clemens, and one more arriving soon in Jan. of 2025.

her sister,

Paula Rettinghaus, Nordholz, Germany;

along with numerous extended family, friends, and neighbors.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John F Baker in 2018; and her brother-in-law, Horst Rettinghaus.

Rita’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Grand Meadows and Hospice of Dubuque for all their professional and compassionate care.

Online condolences may be shared with Rita’s family at www.tristatecremationcenter.com