Rita McDermott Reis

October 10, 1925 - July 25, 2017

Rita McDermott Reis Perry, Iowa; formerly of Jefferson Date of Death: July 25, 2017 Services for Rita McDermott Reis, 91, of Perry, IA, formerly of Jefferson, IA, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 28, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Jefferson, IA. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Greene County, Iowa. The family will visit with friends from 5:00 – 7:00pm Thursday, July 27, 2017 at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home in Jefferson, followed by a Vigil For The Deceased beginning at 7:00pm Thursday. Rita (McDermott) Reis was born October 10, 1925 in Bayard, Iowa to Arthur and Julia (Watts) Moylan. Rita graduated from Bayard High School and attended St. Mary’s College in Omaha for two years. Following college, Rita travelled to California to work and live with her brother, John, for a short time. She returned to Iowa where she worked in Des Moines, Jefferson and for the last 20 years of her career in Perry at Oscar Mayer before retiring in 1989 Rita married John “Art” McDermott on March 29, 1948. To this union 5 children were born: Mary, Monica, Margaret, Mark and Michele. They were married for 41 years. During their last years together, Rita was caretaker as Art’s health failed. Together they enjoyed camping and their grandchildren who visited often. Following Art’s death in 1990, Rita married Laverne Reis and continued to enjoy camping with Good Sam’s Camp Club with their many friends. They lived in Greenfield where Rita was active in St. John’s Catholic Church. After Laverne passed away, Rita moved to Jefferson residing at the Gardens Assisted Living. As a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jefferson for many years, Rita attended mass regularly. Her faith was an important part of her life. Crafting, cross-stitch, knitting, sewing, quilting – Rita could do it all. Her family has been the recipient of many beautiful quilts and afghans. Chocolate chip cookies were a staple at Rita’s house. She passed her baking skills and love of chocolate on to her family as well. Rita died at age 91 at the Rowley Memorial Masonic Home in Perry. Lewy Body Disease contributed to her failing health. Survivors include five children: Mary (Bill) Tighe of Bagley, IA; Monica (LaVern) Dirkx of Carroll, IA; Margaret Knosby of Perry, IA; Mark (Kristy) McDermott of Jamaica, IA, and Michele (Wayne) Ahern of Solon, IA; 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and sister, Kathleen (Tom) Ferguson of Greensboro, NC; many other relatives and friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, husbands John Arthur McDermott and LaVerne Reis; brother, John Moylan; sisters, Regina Ryan and Madonna Hagen; granddaughter Molly Ahern and son-in-law Tim Knosby. Family requests memorials be made to HCI Hospice Care Services, 610 10th Street, Perry, IA 50220.