Rita Marie Duffield, 79, died September 25, 2025, in the Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
She was born May 18, 1946, in Mason City, Iowa, to Robert and Dorothy Gettman. Rita was the oldest of four daughters. She graduated from Mason City High School in 1964 and married John Duffield on September 17th of that year.
Rita and John were blessed with two daughters, Lisa Marie and Jodie Michelle, three grandchildren, Brandon, Sheyanne, and Dalton, and four great-grandchildren. The couple lived in Iowa briefly but moved several times after John enlisted in the Air Force.
They settled in Summerfield, Florida, in 1999.
Rita is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, John; Daughters Lisa Bridge (Tom) and Jodie Jackson; Sisters Wendy Moser (Rob), Connie Iske (Don) and Penny Torres (Rob); Aunt Lynda McMannes; Brothers-in-law, David Duffield (Beth), Michael Duffield (Karen); Sisters-in-law, Beth Duffield, Barbara Lapinsky (Don), Mary Garrett (Vic); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; father and mother-in-law, Cleo and Florence Duffield; and bother-in-law Tommy Duffield. Rita’s ashes will be scattered in Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida, at a later date.
Memorial gifts in Rita’s name may be given to a place of your choice. Her obituary is posted on legacy.com; The Villages Daily Sun; and the Mason City Globe Gazette. Rita was a gentle soul with a sweet smile and an endearing sense of humor. “Scatter my ashes into the wind, and when the wind blows, think of me.
I will be in the trees, the wild flowers, and the sparkle that gleams in the rippling waters of nearby streams. My never-ending love will be everywhere you look, when you think of me.”