Elrita A Fuller

Elrita Anna "Rita" Fuller, 79, of Cedar Falls, died from cancer on Wednesday, October 12, 2011, at Sartori Memorial Hospital in Cedar Falls.  She was born June 26, 1932 in St. Mary's Ridge, Wisconsin, the daughter of William and Josephine (Gronemus) Butzler.  Rita married Leonard G. Harnish on July 15, 1950 in La Crosse, Wisconsin, they later divorced.  She married Harold A. Fuller on December 16, 1972 in Gilbertville, Iowa.  He preceded her in death on February 26, 2011.  Rita graduated from Aquinas High School in La Crosse and later owned and operated the Busy Bee Café in Cedar Falls.  She then worked at the University of Northern Iowa Food Service Dept and was a seamstress most of her life.  Rita was a former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary in Cedar Falls and the DAV Auxiliary.

Survivors include three daughters, Kathy (Roger) Miller of Cedar Falls, Barb (John) Charley of Dike, and Diane McClain of Cedar Falls; two sons, Michael (La Vonne) Harnish of Elysian, Minnesota and Richard (Felicia) Harnish of Menomonie, Wisconsin; eleven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren; a brother, James (Ruby) Butzler, of Marshfield, Missouri, and three sisters, Mildred Lundston and Carol (Clayton) Smith, both of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Marlene (Dave) Tritch of Waterloo, Iowa.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents and husband, two grandchildren in infancy, and two brothers, Walter & Werlyn Butzler.

Services will be 11:00 am Monday, October 17, 2011, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, with burial at Fairview Cemetery, both in Cedar Falls.  Visitation will be 2—5:00 pm Sunday at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home, where there will be a Time of Sharing at 4:30 pm.  Visitation also one hour before the service at the church.  Memorials may be directed to the family.  Online condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com.