Maureen Rittgers
Maureen (Canavan) Rittgers, longtime Gowrie area resident, passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, Iowa. She was also born in Jefferson on November 21, 1936, to Patrick and Geraldine (Jack) Canavan. Maureen grew up on her family's farm near Paton with her four siblings. She graduated from Paton High School in 1954 and attended Loretto Heights College in Denver, CO, where she played on one of the first women's college basketball teams.
In 1955, she married her husband Dick Rittgers and together they raised a busy family of five children on their family farm south of Gowrie. Maureen's deep love for her family, farm, food, her Catholic faith, and Irish heritage was always evident. She was at her best when feeding family friends and farm workers, hosting nieces and nephews from Texas, California and Des Moines, and when attending the many music programs, sporting events, and extra-curricular activities her children and grandchildren participated in over the years. She took great pride in several Paton and Gowrie organizations and functions she was part of, always looking forward to time with her many friends in both communities. Maureen was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Paton as well as Our Lady of Good Counsel in Moorland and St. Columbkille in Churdan, where she taught catechism for many years. For her entire life she was an avid reader; always looking for the next great historical book, biography or novel. Her love of reading was one of the many passions she passed on to her children. During their retirement years, Maureen and Dick traveled extensively and enjoyed spending winters in Destin, Florida, with the many friends they met at their condo.
Maureen is survived by her children: Brian (Pat) Rittgers, Zionsville, Indiana, Veronica (Scott) Morton, Jefferson, Mark Rittgers, Gowrie, Rick (Jaci) Rittgers, Gowrie, and Chris (Gloria) Rittgers, Islamabad, Pakistan; 11 grandchildren, 10 plus great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Dick of 57 years, and siblings: Colleen Scanlon, Geraldine Duff, Jim Canavan and Pat Canavan.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 5, at St. Joseph Church in Jefferson from 9 a.m.-10:45 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with Father William Schreiber officiating. A luncheon will be served immediately following the service at the St. Joseph Parish Center. Interment will take place immediately following the luncheon in the Gowrie Township Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Maureen's name can be made to the Gowrie Public Library or the Gowrie Freedom Trail.