Rita JoAnn Stalter, 76, of Indianola, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 15th at Westview Care Center with her daughters by her side.

Rita was born on November 1, 1946, to Irwin and Bernice (Alm) Reichert in Garner, Iowa.  She grew up in Britt and New Virginia, Iowa, with her brother Keith where their parents owned and operated Reichert's Café for many years.  She attended New Virginia Community Schools graduating in 1965 from Interstate 35 High School.

On June 10, 1966, Rita and her high school sweetheart, Allen Stalter, were united in marriage in New Virginia, Iowa. They made their home in Indianola and raised their daughters Jodi and Melissa.

Rita worked for Bankers Life Insurance Company and Indianola Community School District before deciding to stay at home and raise her two daughters.  She was a day care provider from many years.  In 1986, she began working at Meredith Corporation and retired after 25 years of service.  She also helped establish two group homes in Indianola for special needs adults which later became part of the Christian Opportunity Center.

Baking, flower gardening, sewing and shopping were a few of Rita's favorite things.  Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

Rita is survived by her daughters Jodi (Britt) Sternquist and Melissa (Ryan) Casner; granddaughter Shelby Casner, grandson Blake Casner, brother-in-law Mick Stalter, and sister-in-law Shelley Lucas.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen, parents, brother Keith Reichert, sister-in-law, Janice Stalter, and brother-in-law, John Lucas.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Westview Care Center who took loving care of Rita since December 2022.

Funeral Services for Rita and Allen (who passed away on July 14th), will be held at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, July 20 at Overton Funeral Home with burial following in the Indianola I.O.O.F. Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  Visitation will be held 4 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 19 at Overton Funeral Home where family will be present to greet friends.

Memorials may be given in remembrance of Rita to the family for a memorial to be decided on at a later date.