Rita Mehaffey

Rita M. (Thomson) Mehaffey, 88, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Sunday, December 9, 2007, at Colonial Manor in Anita.

Rita Maxine Thomson Mehaffey was born September 27, 1919, on a farm south of Griswold, Iowa, the daughter of Herbert C. Thomson and Harriet Pearl Conklin. Rita grew up in the Griswold and Atlantic communities, graduated from Atlantic High School and attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. While living in Atlantic she met and married Raymond Charles Mehaffey on September 23, 1940.

During their 66 year marriage, they lived in Lincoln, NE, Advance, MO and Omaha, NE, before returning to Iowa in 1952 to farm west of Atlantic. During her time in Atlantic she was a member of the OS and C Club. She also enjoyed painting, collecting birds, horseback riding, and pampering her grandchildren. She enjoyed fishing and traveling, especially to Bluegrass events. She was known to her family as the most accurate historical family resource. The most important thing to Rita was her family.

Rita is survived by her son, Ronald Mehaffey, and his wife, Marva, of Davie, FL; her daughter, Jean Mehaffey of Holiday, FL; granddaughter, Kathryn Mehaffey, and her sons, Nathan and Matthew Hasselbring of Davie, FL; grandson, Russell Mehaffey, and his wife, Patti, and their daughters, Kasey and Shannon of Bettendorf, IA; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding Rita in death was her husband, Raymond C. Mehaffey on January 23, 2007.

The committal service for Rita will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 14, 2007, in the Atlantic Cemetery.

A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 14, 2007, at Hockenberry Family Care Chapel in Atlantic, with a time for memories and lunch after the service.

Visitation with family present will be from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Thursday, December 13, 2007, at Hockenberry's in Atlantic.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.