Hometown: Maquoketa, Iowa February 13, 1942 - July 31, 2015

Rita M. Wharton, 73, of Maquoketa passed away on Friday, July 31, 2015 at Bridges Senior Living in Waterloo.

Her funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Maquoketa. A visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at Lahey Funeral Home in Maquoketa where a vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Burial will be at Hazel Green Cemetery in Hazel Green, Wisconsin.

Rita Mae was born on February 13, 1942 in Cuba City, Wisconsin to John T. and Veronica (Keenen) Francis. She was united in marriage to Charles Wharton on July 10, 1964 in Hazel Green, Wisconsin. She worked at Sacred Heart School in the cafeteria.

She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Maquoketa where she volunteered for many years, the Eagles Club and the Maquoketa Garden Club. Rita liked to sing. She also enjoyed dancing where she was an instructor for many years at Arthur Murray Dance Studio. She loved spending time with her grandchildren.

Those left to honor Rita's memory are her four children; Maria (Joe) Murphy of Waterloo, Tracy Wharton of Anamosa, Christopher (Shannon) Wharton of Warrenton, VA, Julie (John) Claus of Keokuk, seven grandchildren; Chad, Sean, Jack, Mason, Olivia, Gavin and Beau, and a sister Joan (John) Murphy of Colorado.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a brother Gene, and a grandson Jacob.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.laheys.com