Donita "Nita" Rae Feller

Donita "Nita" Rae Feller, a lifelong resident of Preston, Iowa and loved by many, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, September 16, at her home. Maquoketa Care Center. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 23, at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Preston. Visitation will be 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. 

Nita was born in Iowa City Sept. 16, 1940 , to Floyd and Mary ( Hedrick) Mullett. She was raised in Olin, Iowa, and moved to the Spragueville and Preston area during high school, graduating in 1958. Nita met the love of her life, Eugene "Gene" Feller, through his sister, Donna Mae who had dared him to ask Nita out on a date and he did. They saw a Western movie at the cinema as there first date and Nita was smitten. They were married on Oct. 17, 1959, and shared 67 wonderful years and together they raised two daughters, Laurene and Therese.

Nita was a devoted wife, mother, friend, and a devout Catholic. She worked at Hoenicke's Hometown Cafe cooking and serving customers good home-style hot meals for over 15 years. Then she provided homecare to the elderly in town; transitioning to a certified nurse's aid at Eagle Point Nursing Center for over 20 years, and the last 8 years, she took on a second job caring for disabled adults. Although she worked many second shifts, while her daughters were growing up, Nita made time to listen to their daily questions and concerns, offered help with school work and made sure a hot meal was on the table for Gene and the girls before going to work. Nita was known as "the nicest mom around" from the kids in the neighborhood. She made sure her daughters knew they were deeply loved and Nita taught them to "take the good with the bad at all times, and no matter what, people matter." 

Nita enjoyed reading, cooking, baking, and collecting church cookbooks. She was known throughout the community for her potato salad and was often asked to make it for wedding and graduation parties. Nita's faith was also very important to her, and she never let a day go by without scripture reflection, prayer or praying the rosary. She was a kind and helpful friend to all who knew her, setting a true example of charity and generosity by always being willing to help anyone in need. She had a very witty sense of humor and always had a quick spontaneous comeback. As a friend beautifully expressed, Nita's strong faith and actions in life have affected him personally "like a rock tossed in the river, there are a lot of ripples that spread outward from it." Nita's caring heart and desire to love is that ripple in the water reaching out to touch others and will continue even after she's gone.

Nita is survived by her husband of Maquoketa; her daughters, Laurene (Steven) Bradley of Savanna and Therese (Keith) Kalaukoa of Preston; her grandchildren, whom were her absolute world and love of her life, Tamra Bradley of Dubuque and Ethan Kalaukoa of Preston; her adorable, curious, and full of life great granddaughters, Aaliyah, Breonna, and Harley Brown of Savanna; her sister, Donna Murray of Florida; her sisters-in-law, Kathleen of Spragueville and Katherine of Camanche; her brothers-in-law, Edward (Alice) Feller of Preston and Henry Feller of Spragueville; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Mary; her brother, John James; her twin sisters; her father and mother-in-law, Raymond and Mayme; sister-in-law. Donna Mae Delarm; brothers-in-law, Bernard Feller of Camanche. and Francis (Nancy) Feller of Preston; and two nephews, Raymond Feller and Vincent Kirkpatrick.

The family wishes to thank the Maquoketa Care family, Dr. and nurses and Medical Associates of Maquoketa, and Jackson County Hospice for all the care and love they provided during this difficult time.