Rita Helen Hadacek Dukeshier passed away July 25,2021 surrounded by her family. Born in Duncan, Iowa to the late Frank and Barbara Hadacek, she was raised on the family farm. Preceded in death were her parents and siblings- Marie, Cletus, Leo, Francis, and Donnie. She is survived by her sister, Cecilia "Cindy" ( Jim) O'day, her daughter, Dawn ( Larry) Armstrong, sons Van Dukeshier and Ross Dukeshier ( Yolanda Reyna), grandchildren Chris Armstrong, Jessica Armstrong ( Trace) Cook, Matthew Armstrong, Michael Dukeshier, Allen (De) Lopez and Manny Reyna, many nieces and nephews.
After graduation from Garner High School, she attended St. Joseph's Mercy School of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa and became a licensed practical nurse. In 1964 she married Michael Dukeshier of Shenandoah, Iowa. After living in Ottumwa, Waterloo, and Urbandale, Iowa, they moved to Ormond Beach, Fl in 1973. Divorced in 1977, she continued to raise her children with a constant undying love and support. In she graduated from Daytona Beach Community College as a registered nurse. During her career she worked at Peninsula Medical Center and later as an ICU nurse at Memorial Hospital, now Advent Hospital. Loved by all her knew her, her fellow classmates said "she was smart as a whip", " a great mentor" and the "hardest working nurse they knew". She retired in 2012 at the age of 72. Strong in her faith and a long time member of Prince of Peace Church, she worked many years in the gift shop. She also spent her time gardening, honing her trivia knowledge watching Jeopardy, traveling to see her children and grandchildren, taking dance lessons, going to the Moose Club and traveling with her special friends- Pat Venuti, Kathryn Neal, Jim and Ruth Trychal, Dorothy and Patrick Campbell, Linda and Barney Lane, Martha Prespitino, and Bob Gibbs.
A celebration of life visitation time for Rita will be held Thursday, July 29, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Volusia Memorial Funeral Home, 548 N Nova Road, Ormond Beach, FL 32174. A funeral mass will occur Friday, July 30, 2021 from 12:10 PM to 1:10 PM at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 600 S Nova Rd, Ormond Beach, Florida 32174. A committal service & burial will occur Friday, July 30, 2021 from 1:30 PM to 1:45 PM at Volusia Memorial Park, 550 N Nova Rd, Ormond Beach, Florida 32174.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.volusiamemorialfunerals.com for the Dukeshier family.
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