Rita Hayes

RITA JO HAYES

Keosauqua

Rita Jo Hayes, 60, of Keosauqua, Iowa, passed away Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, at the Van Buren County Hospital in Keosauqua. As were her wishes, her body

has been cremated with burial to take place at a later date. Memorial contributions in Rita's honor may be directed to Van Buren County Conservation in honor of her love for camping. Cards and memorials may be mailed to 16181 Juniper Trail, Birmingham, IA 52535. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Rita Jo Hayes was born Dec. 14, 1960, at the Van Buren County Hospital in Keosauqua, Iowa, to Wayne "Sonny" Frank Hervey and Shirley Lou Weaver Hervey. Rita attended and graduated from Van Buren High School in 1979. She furthered her education at Indian Hills Community College, where she graduated with her associate of arts and sciences degree. She was united in marriage to Frank M. Hayes on April 25, 1987, at the Center Chapel Church in Keosauqua. Rita worked for 22 years at Center Village and then at the Bonaparte Inn for seven years. She belonged to the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Ladies Auxiliary and played on the women's pool league for many years. She lived her entire life in Van Buren County.

Rita is survived by a sister, Debbie (Dale) Dewitt; two brothers, Terry (Linda) Hervey and Ron Hervey; two aunts, Sherry Hall and Joyce Weaver; an uncle, Ben Gilbert; stepmother, Donna Hervey, stepchildren, as well as many extended family and friends.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Hayes; her parents; and paternal and maternal grandparents; as well as two aunts, three uncles, one brother-in-law, one sister-in-law and two nephews.

A message to all, "Live, Love, Laugh, Forgive and dance like no one's watching."