Rita Marie Hanson, nee Hamlett was born April 10 1928 in Edgewood Iowa to Everett C. and Lela R. Hamlett.
Rita and brother Bruce were raised on a farm in the Manchester / Edgewood Iowa area.
In 1946 Rita graduated from Edgewood High School and went on to work at H & W Motor Freight in Cedar Rapids IA.
There she met Iowa native Charles H. McClurg, wed in 1949 and moved to Milwaukee WI.
In the summer of 1951 the couple moved to Montana and while residing in Kalispell, gave birth to son Steven C. on June 10 1952. The family moved to Butte Montana, where son Richard L. was born on June 30 1954.
In 1957 the family relocated to Renton Washington and three years later Rita took a position in the credit department at Sears Roebuck Company, where she remained until her retirement 27 years later.
Over the next nineteen years Rita raised two sons, became credit manager for Sears and was a very supportive wife. .
In 1977 then husband Chuck, returned to Iowa while Rita stayed in Washington being a very important part of her sons and grandsons lives. She continued to work at Sears and pursued her many interests and hobbies, including ceramics and knitting. She was also a very active member of the Renton Lutheran Church.
In 1984 she met Robert E Hanson, they were married on November 15 1985.
She continued doing things she loved, including traveling by motor home. Even a simple trip to the store could have a side road adventure.
Eventually Bob and Rita moved to Leavenworth WA where she enjoyed having a new extended family and the picturesque beauty of the mountainous area. She continued having a wide variety of interests including rock hounding, playing games with neighbors, driving in the mountains and making church a part of her life.
Because of the harsh winters Bob and Rita decided to relocate to Sequim WA in 1990.
Once there she didn’t slow down for a minute, becoming a very important part in the lives of her neighbors. She remained an active member of church, was involved in Ladies of Elks and pursued interests (elk watching, game playing with neighbors, going to garage sales).
In July of 2007 husband Bob passed away. She elected to stay in Sequim, continuing to be active in her church, developed closer relationships with neighbors, became involved with hospice, Red Hats and continued to be an active member of the Ladies of Elks (observed as Ladies of Elks member 2011). She added crabbing and fishing to her many interests and still enjoyed having neighborhood luncheons, walking, playing bunko, hand in foot and other games.
Rita passed away February 2 2013 in Seattle WA.
She left a lasting impression with everybody that came to know her and will be missed by family and friends.
We know we will be re-united with her at another time.
Rita is survived by:
Steven McClurg (son)
Richard McClurg (son)
Bruce and Bernadine Hamlett (brother & wife)
Rob and Sue Hanson (step son & wife)
Five Grandsons
Two Great Grandsons
Three Nieces
One Nephew
Countless friends and neighbors where she will always have a place in their hearts.
There will be a remembrance of life on February 16th 2013,
11:00 am – 2:00 pm.
at 100 Valley Farm Court Sequim WA 98382