Rita Faye Dunkle

Rita was born in Willow Springs, Missouri, on October 17, 1935, to Loyd and Ora Hayes. She grew up in Fairfax, Missouri, graduating from Fairfax High School in 1953. After graduation, she attended the Missouri Methodist School of Nursing, obtaining her RN license. She immediately went to work at the Fairfax Hospital from 1956-1960.

She met the love of her life, Marvin Dunkle, while growing up in Fairfax. Following their graduation from high school, they were married on January 19, 1957.

After settling in Loveland for the second time in 1963, Rita went to work as an RN at both Sierra Vista and North Shore Manner Nursing Homes, working the swing shift so she could manage the household during the day. After retiring from nursing, she worked part-time in a pet store, which began her passion for birds and fish.

Rita enjoyed several hobbies throughout her life, including crocheting, cross stitching, maintaining a beautiful yard and raising lovebirds. Rita and Marv were life partners, enjoying weekly card games with close friends and card games and dominoes with family, where everyone would gang up on Grandma (Rita), because she always seemed to win the majority of the time. Rita and Marv loved supporting their children and grandchildren through recreation, club and high school sports. Rita took great pride in keeping her grandchildren a couple days a week while they were growing up. She wanted her grandchildren to know their Grandma and Grandpa. In their later years of retirement, Rita and Marv took to “The Hills”, enjoying their days and some nights in Black Hawk and Central City, becoming one of the regular locals.

Rita is survived by her husband, Marvin of Loveland; son, David J. and wife Janna; daughter, Rhonda Gorham and husband David, all of Loveland; five grandchildren, Brittanny Wiens (Tyson) of Erie, Courtney Costa (Aaron) of Johnstown, Justin Gorham, Brooklyn Dunkle and Braden Dunkle, all of Loveland; three great-grandchildren, Brielle, Tessa and Jayce; three brothers, J.E. Hayes, Jerry Hayes and Paul Hayes; two sisters, Cleta Lawrence and Charlotte Miller; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Loyd and Ora Hayes, and a sister, Francis Dunkle.

Cremation has been completed. Private family services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions can be made to Pathways Hospice or Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital in care of Resthaven Funeral Home, 8426 S. Hwy 287, Fort Collins, CO 80525.