Rita Jensen Leaf

Rita Jensen Leaf, 86, passed away February 28, 2017, at Wesley Willows Retirement Community in Rockford, IL.

Visitation will be held at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601 38th Avenue, Moline, Friday, March 3, 2017, from 4-7 pm, and funeral services will be at First Covenant Church of Moline, Saturday, March 4, at 1 pm.

Rita was born on May 20, 1930, on the family farm in Bureau County, IL. She attended a one-room school house through the 8th grade, then went to Manlius High School where she received the DAR award and was active in cheerleading, band, and the school play. After graduating from Moline Public Hospital's School of Nursing, she married Paul Leaf on July 24, 1954. They lived in Moline until moving to Big Rock, IL, in 1982, and have lived in Rockford, IL, for the past 17 years.

Rita was a member of First Covenant Church, Moline, where she was very active. She will long be remembered for her goodness and unselfish spirit. Rita always put others first, rarely thinking of herself. She loved people, especially children, and loved volunteering and taking care of others. She and Paul loved to travel and spend winters in Florida.

Rita is survived by her husband of 62 years, Paul; three daughters, Julie Haebig, Pam Schaal, and Sue Reck; one son, John Leaf; ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, and two brothers.