Rita Maye Gudith

Rita M. Gudith, 93, of Laurel, Iowa, passed away peacefully on the morning of Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown.

Per the wishes of Rita and her family, cremation rites have been accorded under the care of the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. A family- led gathering will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wallashuck Campground, Red Rock Lake near Pella, Site 70. Rita loved to go camping when she could and Wallashuck was her favorite campground and site 70 was her favorite spot. Please join us, bring a lawn chair and your favorite story of Rita. Some of the family will be camping there throughout the weekend.

Born Rita Maye Long on October 12, 1931 in Washington, Iowa, she was the daughter of Paul and Eileen (McKenzie) Long. She retired from Amana Refrigeration in 1991. In her free time, Rita enjoyed camping, needlework, reading, and fishing. She also enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and playing Scrabble. Above all else, Rita absolutely loved her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Left to cherish her memory are her four children: Leslie Gudith of Graham, WA, Ray (Donna) Gudith of What Cheer, IA, Randy (Julia) Gudith of Enterprise, AL and Dan (Karen) Gudith of Laurel, IA; grandchildren: Connie Gonzales, Adam Gudith, Emma Gudith, Chris Gudith, Jessica (D’Wayne Sparks) Taylor, Kevin Gudith, Meghann Gifford, Dustin (Jackie) Wood, Lee (Danielle) Gudith, Shayla (Chuck) Ware, Jessica (Heath) Miller, Zach Gudith, Ryan (Melody) Hocke, Kevin (Jenna) Hocke and 23 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great- grandchildren; her sibling Carma Lea Davis and several nieces and nephews.

Rita is preceded in death by her son, David Gudith, her son and daughter in infancy, her sister Leta Moore, and her daughter in-law Joette Gudith.