- Born on: March 8, 1934
- Departed on: December 4, 2025
- Resided in: Danville, IA
Thelma Verlee Ita
Thelma Verlee (Rice) Ita, Age 91, of Danville, IA, passed away at her home in Danville, IA, on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
A Memorial Service will be announced later in 2026. It will also be available by Zoom for those unable to attend in person.
Thelma was born on March 8, 1934, in Burlington, IA. She was the daughter of the late Milo and Martha (Wilke) Rice. On November 29, 1952, Thelma married the love of her life, Don Ita, in Danville, IA. She was a graduate of the Burlington Hospital School of Nursing and University of Iowa Bachelor's Degree in Education. She started working as a Public Health Nurse for Des Moines County, but her true passion was in teaching other nurses. She worked for one year at Burlington Mercy Hospital School of Nursing until it transitioned to the SE Iowa Community College School of Nursing.
Those left to cherish Thelma’s memory are her husband, Don, of Danville, IA; her children; Steve (Jean) Ita, Danville, IA; Tim (Teresa) Ita, Burlington, IA; John (Marit) Ita, Havre, MT; Mark (Valerie) Ita, Chelan, WA; and Jean (Joe) Richardson, of Danville, IA. She had 9 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Her sisters, Marilyn Peterson, Ames, IA and Linda Cruce, Roanoke, TX, as well as many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice in West Burlington, IA or Danville Fire Department of Danville, IA. Contributions can be sent directly to the organizations or sent to Jean Richardson, 202 S. Birch St., Danville IA 52623.
A Memorial Service will be announced later in 2026. It will also be available by Zoom for those unable to attend in person.
Thelma was born on March 8, 1934, in Burlington, IA. She was the daughter of the late Milo and Martha (Wilke) Rice. On November 29, 1952, Thelma married the love of her life, Don Ita, in Danville, IA. She was a graduate of the Burlington Hospital School of Nursing and University of Iowa Bachelor's Degree in Education. She started working as a Public Health Nurse for Des Moines County, but her true passion was in teaching other nurses. She worked for one year at Burlington Mercy Hospital School of Nursing until it transitioned to the SE Iowa Community College School of Nursing.
Those left to cherish Thelma’s memory are her husband, Don, of Danville, IA; her children; Steve (Jean) Ita, Danville, IA; Tim (Teresa) Ita, Burlington, IA; John (Marit) Ita, Havre, MT; Mark (Valerie) Ita, Chelan, WA; and Jean (Joe) Richardson, of Danville, IA. She had 9 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Her sisters, Marilyn Peterson, Ames, IA and Linda Cruce, Roanoke, TX, as well as many loving nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice in West Burlington, IA or Danville Fire Department of Danville, IA. Contributions can be sent directly to the organizations or sent to Jean Richardson, 202 S. Birch St., Danville IA 52623.
