Rita Kay Hughes, 77, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2025, at Dubuque Specialty Care.

Rita was born on December 2, 1947, in Jackson County, Iowa, to Mathias and Mary (Dwyer) Franzen. Over the years, she worked at Sheller Globe in Iowa City, Huffman Eggs in Maquoketa, and later at Dynamic Tube in Maquoketa, where she remained until her retirement.

Rita had many hobbies and interests that brought her joy. She loved playing cards, watching birds, shooting pool, crime shows, and working on puzzle books. She also enjoyed fishing, trap shooting, and most of all, spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Those left to cherish her memory include her three children, Rick (Kay) Hughes of Des Moines, Curt (Valerie) Hughes of Atkins, and Angie Brewster of Davenport; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and her siblings Edward "Butch" (Marie) Franzen of DeWitt, JoAnn Reiter  of Anamosa, Wayne (Julia) Franzen of Maquoketa, Marvin (Barb) Franzen of Maquoketa, and Patsy (Orville) Wagner of Delmar.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters Anna Marie "Rea" Wagner, Marcelene Eganhouse, and Margaret "Rosalie" Franzen; her brothers Vincent, Martin, Jerry, Leonard, and James "Jim" Franzen; and her son-in-law Jacob Brewster.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. at Dawson Funeral Services in Maquoketa. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at Dawson Funeral Services in Maquoketa, followed by burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Maquoketa.

Cards of condolences may be directed to Dawson Funeral Services Po Box 258 Wyoming, Iowa 52362.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.