Rita Harmsen

Rita Jane Harmsen, 66, of Marshalltown, passed away on Monday, June 12, 2017 at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames. Memorial services for Rita will be on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 11:00 am until service time. Memorials may be directed to the family. For more information or to send a condolence, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234. Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Rita and her family. Rita was born on August 25, 1950 in Marshalltown. She was the daughter of Evelyn Richards. She graduated from Garwin High School in 1968. Rita then went on to Marshalltown Community College, where she took some classes towards her Associates Degree; she was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Society for good grades. On May 4, 1974, Rita was united in marriage to John Harmsen at Garwin Christian Church. She had previously worked as a paramedic for Marshalltown Hospital, McFarland Clinic in the lab and as receptionist and at the Iowa Veterans Home where she retired in 2010. She also taught CPR classes at Iowa Valley Community College. Rita enjoyed making jewelry, playing Facebook games, shopping and spending time with her grandchildren. Rita is survived by her husband of 43 years, John. Children: Joel (Errica) Harmsen of Waukee, Sara Harmsen of Garwin and Jill (Chad) Clawson of Marshalltown. Grandchildren: Jacob Harmsen, Reece Harmsen, Shay Harmsen, Dash Harmsen, Taylor Clawson, Teal Harmsen and Elnorah Harmsen. Rita is preceded in death by her mother Evelyn and brothers Larry and Richard Novotny.