Rita M. Ameskamp, 84, of Dyersville, Iowa passed away on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Hawkeye Care Center in Asbury, Iowa.
Visitation for Rita will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa, where a prayer service will be held 2:30 p.m. Visitation will also continue after 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at the funeral home.
Services for Rita will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville, Iowa, with Rev. Chris Podhajsky presiding.  Burial will be held in St. Francis Cemetery in Dyersville, Iowa.
She was born on October 16, 1939 in Dyersville, Iowa, daughter of Gregor and Theckla (Schaul) Hoeger.  On September 26, 1959 she was united in marriage to Aloysius Ameskamp at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier.  Together the couple farmed in rural Dyersville, Iowa. He preceded her in death on June 18, 2001.
Rita was a very high spirited and always on the go- she would make breakfast for the kids and anyone else that would stop.  She had a strict cleaning schedule and her housework was done by 7 a.m.  She helped milk the cows, do the chores, bail hay and straw.  She would polish her children's and all their friend's white tennis shoes to look like new every time they came.  Rita continued this with two of her grandchildren making them breakfast and putting them on the bus.
Rita was always talking, and her children's friends would tease them about leaving her talking to the vacuum.  She never had laundry piled up, it was always done.  She could put a meal for fifty people together in minutes. Rita endured coon hunting, hunting and fishing horseback riding, and many outdoor activities with the family.  In summary "She was a Great Mom!"
Rita and Al held hands together everywhere, they went to dinner every Saturday night.  They went camping on weekends for several years, and they enjoyed dancing.  Rita loved her Rum and Cokes, driving her red Corvette, playing BINGO, and was a slot machine guru.
She was member of the St. Francis Xavier Parish in Dyersville, Iowa.
She is survived by four children, Julie (Carl) Prier of Dyersville, IA, Wayne (Sharon) Ameskamp of Dyersville, IA, Paul (Mary) Ameskamp of Elgin, IL and Luke (Tammy) Ameskamp of Dyersville, IA; 8 grandchildren, Angie (Kyle) Theisen and Kerri (Jaime) Gonzalezr, Ryan and Tara Ameskamp, Kyle, Kristi, Brooke, and Kaylee Ameskamp; 5 great grandchildren; her siblings Rose (C.P.) Cox of Dubuque, IA, Germaine Helle of Manchester, IA, Norma Hoeger of Franklin, WI, and James (Diane) Hoeger of Acworth, GA; and a special friend of 19 years, Celester "CJ" Rausch of Epworth, IA.
She is also preceded in death by her parents; a great grandchild, Gavin Prier; a brother, Jerry (Mary) (Bonnie) Hoeger; two brothers and two sisters in infancy, Ronald, Donald, Theresa, and Elaine Hoeger; her father and mother-in-law, John G. and Elizabeth (Geers) Ameskamp; two brothers-in-law, George Pfeiler, and Art Helle.
The family of Rita would like to thank the staff of Hawkeye care center for the wonderful care they gave to Rita.
An online video may be viewed, and online condolences left for the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com