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Rita Margaret Youngquist

  Rita Margaret Youngquist was born Jan. 11, 1919, ,in Muscatine, Iowa. Surrounded by her children, she peacefully passed away on July 28, 2012, in Sonoma, at the age of 93.

  Rita was the daughter of Bessie and George Sharrar. She was one of seven children. Her early years were spent in Iowa, Montana and Illinois, where she graduated high school. She married Everett Youngquist on Sept. 16, 1937, in Le Claire, Iowa. During World War II, they traveled with their two young children, throughout the South and West, where Everett worked as a carpenter at military bases. After the war, they settled in Moline, Ill., and remained there until their move to Sonoma in 1977.

  Rita spent her life as a homemaker. She learned to play the guitar, and together with her sister, Ruth, and a friend Roberta, they sang on the radio as the “3 R’s” in the ’40s. Everett played harmonica, and many evenings were spent entertaining the family with their down home music. Rita loved camping and fishing. During the summer, she would spend her week getting things together to pack up the boat and head for the island or the river.

  Rita loved to crochet. She made afghans, doll clothes, hats and ponchos for local craft fairs, her family and friends. As her health declined, she kept busy working jigsaw puzzles and word puzzles, and remained sharp and witty until the end.

  Rita is survived by her children, Nancy (Stephen) Denkin, of Sonoma; Bonnie (Charles) McKnight, of Coal Valley, Ill.; and Jack (Penny) Youngquist, of Aledo, Ill.; grandchildren, Alexis and Amelya Freeman, Matthew Denkin, Lori Barber, Greg McKnight, David Youngquist and Eric Youngquist; great-grandchildren, Jason Barber, Nicole Leingang, Michaela Youngquist, Emma Youngquist, Matilda Youngquist, and Lucas Youngquist; and great-great grandson, Aidan Leingang; and her brother, Joseph Sharrar, of Rock Island, Ill.

  Friends are invited to attend a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, at First Congregational Church, Sonoma.

  In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to Meals On Wheels, 275 E. Spain St., Sonoma, CA 95476; or to Pets Lifeline, 19686 Eighth St. E., Sonoma, CA 95476.

  Inquiries can be made to Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service at 996-3655 or at www.duggansmissionchapel.com.

Duggan’s Mission Chapel.

Mission Cremation Service

525 W. Napa St.

Sonoma, CA 95476

707-996-3655