Rita Judy (Butterbrodt) Bilsland

Rita Judy (Butterbrodt) Bilsland, 80, passed away peacefully on the morning of August 9, 2024. Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, followed by her funeral service at 11:00 AM, all at Fry Funeral Home in Tipton, IA. Rita’s final resting place will be Tipton Masonic Cemetery, where her family will privately inter her remains at a later date.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Rita J. Bilsland Fund, c/o Fry Funeral Home, 220 E 6th St, PO Box 30, Tipton, IA 52772.

Rita Judy was born on June 4, 1944, in Rolfe, IA, and was adopted by her loving parents, Erwin and Erna (Onken) Butterbrodt on December 31, 1949. Her passion for music began at a young age and continued throughout her schooling at Tipton High School. On September 13, 2003, in Cedar Rapids, IA, Rita married David K. Bilsland. The couple attended a Baptist congregation in Cedar Rapids before moving to Lowden later in life.

Rita was a dedicated and hardworking Parking Attendant for the City of Cedar Rapids. Above all, she cherished her role as a mother to her children: Kevin, Karla, Dennis, Mary, James, John, and Steven. Rita was loving, stubborn, sometimes feisty, yet gentle and kind. She had a talent for twirling a baton and could play the flute, piano, accordion, and organ. She adored animals, especially her beloved fur-baby, Jazzy.

Rita will be deeply missed by her husband, David Bilsland; her children, Kevin (Dawn) LaMar of Cedar Rapids, IA, Karla (Mike) Crossen of Lowden, IA, Dennis (Tammy) LaMar Jr. of West Liberty, IA, Mary (Rick) Balke of Lowden, IA, John (Susie) LaMar of Coggon, IA, and Steven (Renata) LaMar of Wilton, IA; 16 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; and many other family members. She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, James LaMar; her great-granddaughter, Thee; and her foster brother, Caroll Yustler.