Rita Ann Rowe

Rita Ann Rowe, 75, of Avilla, passed away on Friday, May 11, 2018, at Orchard Pointe Nursing Home in Kendallville.

She was born on December 25, 1942, in Whitley County to the late John and Iva (McCullough) Powell. In 1958, she married Raymond Joseph Blotkamp, who preceded her in death in 1979. On July 30, 1982, in Avilla, she married Norm Rowe, who survives.

Rita enjoyed reading and loved to go mushroom hunting. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and was a member of the Avilla American Legion Post 240 Ladies Auxiliary and Avilla Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She also owned the Avilla Gardens flower shop.

She is survived by her children, Joe (Lori) Blotkamp of Avilla, Mitch (Deb) Blotkamp of Avilla, Brent Blotkamp of Fort Wayne, Jan Bryant of Angola, Rhonda (David) Dye of Avilla, Suzy (Terry) Campbell of Albion, and Stacy (Chris) Pattee of Wolcotville. Also surviving are grandchildren, Kelsey (Jake) Stambazze, Courtney Blotkamp, Tiffany (Rex) Rawles, Jessica (Josh) Harner, James (Trinity) Bryant, Nate (Lindsay) Dye, Eric Dye, Stephanie Dye, Dirk Likes, Brook (Morgan) Likes, Houston Pattee, Spencer Pattee and Grant Pattee; great-grandchildren, Presley, Kendra, Lydia, Isobel, Elisabeth, Natalie, Adaline, Wyatt, Lauretta and Judd; and a sister, Janet (Jr.) Bianski of Churubusco.

She was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Devin; a brother and six sisters.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at Harper Funeral Homes, Avilla Chapel, 530 N, Main St., Avilla. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Monday, May 14, 2018, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, rural Avilla. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Rita’s memory may be directed to Noble Transit.

To leave online condolences or sign the online guest book, visit www.harperfuneralhomes.com.

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