Rita (Ponsetto) Rudd

Rita (Ponsetto) Rudd, 97, of Davenport, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at UnityPoint Health – Trinity Bettendorf.

Graveside Services are 2:00 p.m. Monday, May 18, at Rock Island National Cemetery. Those wishing to attend should meet in the parking lot at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline, between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. A memorial service will follow at Ridgecrest Village, Davenport, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Memorials may be made St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Davenport, or the Humane Society of Scott County.

The former Rita Sulser was born March 31, 1929, in Confidence, Iowa, the daughter of Joe and Gladys (Murray) Sulser. She married Leon Ponsetto and the couple had four children. She later married Donald Lee Rudd on May 30, 1980, in Davenport. He passed away on June 19, 2024.

She worked at Bishop’s Buffet in downtown Davenport and later enjoyed her time working for the Celebration Belle.

Rita was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Davenport, and was active in the PTA when her children were in school. She enjoyed singing and dancing, especially clogging, and loved her coffee. Above all, Rita enjoyed spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Debra (Michael) Heffernan of East Troy, Wisconsin, Linda (Ron) Ponsetto-Cinadr of Bettendorf, Michael (Monta) Ponsetto of Rock Island, Lisa (Raymond) Ponsetto-Green of Hillsdale, Illinois, Donald (Evelyn) Rudd of Coralville, Iowa, Allen (Donna) Rudd of Donaldson, Iowa, Robert (Susie) Rudd of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Steve Rudd of Des Moines, Iowa, and Richard (Angela) Rudd of Omaha; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and several loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don; and siblings, Lavone Dyer, Theodore Sulser, and Joan Johnson.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.