Memorial

Rita Mae LeGrand, 96, passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2026, after a sudden illness.  A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, July 30, at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel Stateroom. Funeral mass 10:30 a.m., Friday, July 31, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Interment will follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Survivors include daughter, Beverly Jackson and her husband, Ronald Jackson, of Vinton, three sons, Joseph and his wife, Marie, of Siloam Springs, AR, Douglas of Cedar Rapids, and John of Anamosa; a brother, Wilmer Kass, of New Lisbon, WI; grandchildren, Jamey Jackson, Samantha Mercier, Melinda Slate, and great grandchildren, Maya Selk, Ava and Wesley Mercier.   

She was preceded in death by husband, Joseph; sisters, Kathryn Heiberger, Lillian Launspach, Lucille Heiberger, Alfrieda Miersen, Phyllis Payne, and Susanna Kass, all of Dubuque, and sister Mary LeGrand of Cedar Rapids; a brother, John Kass of Dubuque.   

Rita was born August 19, 1929, in Dubuque, the daughter of John N. and Susan E. Kass.   She married Joseph N. LeGrand on January 30, 1954, in Cedar Rapids.  Rita was a resident of Robins since 1955, a member of Robins Homemakers, and a charter member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids.   

In her early years, Rita was her father’s helper on his Dubuque farm when horses and hard labor were required.   She then worked as an aide to the family of a business owner, which allowed her to travel and experience a whole new world.  Rita then met the love of her life, Joseph LeGrand.  They married and moved to Cedar Rapids where she worked at Cryovac before moving to Robins and raising a family.   In her later years she loved gardening, walking the nature trails, and reading.      

Rita was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to all she knew.  She was the family adviser when anyone needed someone to listen and offer sound advice for all matters.   She will be dearly missed.