Rita Carol Huwe

Rita Carol (Carey) Huwe died on March 17, 2024, at Wesley Willows Memory Care, in Rockford, Illinois. Rita was born on May 13, 1938, in Covington, Ohio, to parents George and Eva (Shimfessel) Carey.

Rita graduated from Troy High School in 1956. She then attended Miami Valley Hospital School of Nursing, completing her studies in 1959. She married Orlyn Huwe in 1960 in Troy, Ohio. Rita and Orlyn moved to Washington, Indiana, in 1964; Bolingbrook, Illinois, in 1969; and Rockford, Illinois, in 1978.

During her long career as a nurse, Rita provided care in Ohio, at Daviess Community Hospital (Washington, Indiana), Edward Hospital (Naperville, Illinois), Rockford Memorial Hospital, University of Illinois College of Medicine (Rockford), and Northern Illinois Hospice.

Rita was a life-long learner with many interests. Rita went to college to enhance her nursing career earning a bachelor’s degree from the College of Saint Francis (Joliet, Illinois) in 1986. Rita pursued her appreciation of art and music through history courses at the local technical college. Rita loved to gather and perfect recipes, and share her considerable cooking talent. Rita’s home-made lasagna, pesto, raspberry jam, pizza, breads and rolls, and special chocolate pudding are favorites among family and friends. Rita was a vegetarian for decades and created wondrous meals from the bounty of the large garden she and Orlyn tended. Rita and Orlyn enjoyed travel. While their sons were young, trips to visit family were important; and in later years they also enjoyed traveling farther afield highlighted by trips with the grandchildren and with Rita’s sister.

Rita was committed to serving her community through volunteer activities. She was dedicated to work with the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Food Pantry; as a docent at Rockford Art Museum; and by working with children through Sunday School and after-school programs. She found particular satisfaction in nurturing a love of reading in young people. Rita was also committed to caregiving for family and friends.

Rita is survived by her three sons: Dave (Beth) of Monona, Wisconsin; Tim of Rockford; and John (Vickie) of Machesney Park. She is also survived by three grandchildren: Stephanie (Tanner) Boudreaux; Ted Huwe; and Rachel Huwe (Austin Pick); and great granddaughter Ellie. Her sister Sharon Churchill, sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Orlyn, and granddaughter Amelia.

We are grateful to the caring and courageous professionals at Wesley Willows (Rockford) and Serenity Hospice (Oregon, Illinois) who took care of Rita after Orlyn was unable to continue his final and most impressive service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Food Pantry, Rockford, Illinois, or the Serenity Hospice, Oregon, Illinois. A Celebration of Life will be held on a date to be arranged soon. If attending, please bring shelf-stable food to contribute to the centerpiece which will be given to the food pantry after the gathering. Visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com to leave online condolences and find updated Celebration of Life plans.