Anita Lee (Runnells) Weston, age 73, of Hillsdale, Michigan. April 1, 2022, Keokuk, Iowa. 

Anita was born in Lincoln, Maine on September 20, 1948 to Hugh and Winnifred(Bishop) Runnells.

Anita’s siblings include: Evelyn (Runnells) Crouse of Reading, MI and David Runnells of Hillsdale, MI. 

Anita shared many stories from her childhood with her siblings and cousins running around the Bishop properties and farm in Hillsdale, MI. One of her favorite memories was of swimming in the pond with her Bishop cousins. Anita was an avid swimmer and boasted of having to swim across Lake Baw Beese in order to be a lifeguard at the lake. 

Anita graduated from Hillsdale, MI in 1966, then continued onto college at Ferris State University where she met her husband, Richard Weston. In 1980 Anita graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and in 1989, she graduated with a Master of Arts from the University of Iowa.

Anita was employed with Oakland University in Auburn Hills, Michigan. In 1982 she was transferred to The University of Iowa where she was an administrative assistant for the Dean of Nursing. She also worked for Southeastern Community College and Newton, Iowa Hospital and Coldwater, MI hospital. 

Anita enjoyed being around people and was always up for fun. She spent much time with Richard’s family taking on many more sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews as her own, and loved her time with her mother-in-law, Lois.  She enjoyed boating and hanging out at the Keokuk Yacht Club with friends. She also enjoyed golfing at the Keokuk Elks Club. She had spent many years in Keokuk, Iowa cheering on and volunteering to help the wrestling team as her husband coached and her son, Rick, wrestled. She enjoyed camping trips and there were many evenings shared around a bonfire with her children and grandchildren. In 2016 she moved back to Michigan where she spent much of her time tending to her yard and spending time with her son Rick, working on projects around the house and watching football. GO BLUE! She went antiquing with her daughter, Shannon, as well as making some trips to Maryland for visits with Shannon, and enjoying an outing to Preakness to watch horse racing.  She also enjoyed trips to Florida to visit her sister, Evelyn. She spent her last several years playing trivia and enjoying time spent with friends and eating out with her companion, Gary Kies. In October 2021, she moved back to Keokuk, Iowa and enjoyed her time with her daughter, Candy, and her family. She was adamant about watching The Wheel of Fortune each night with her son-in-law Gary, as they competed to solve the puzzles. She loved having her great grandchildren visit and dancing with Baby Ev. As the weather started to warm up, Anita enjoyed sitting outside enjoying the views of the eagles and the Mississippi River. She was able to celebrate many family birthdays during her time in Keokuk and spent a wonderful weekend in March surrounded by family, celebrating Shannon’s birthday. 

Anita is survived by her children: Shannon (Terry) Welihan, Candy (Gary) Berquam, and Rick Weston. Her grandchildren: Allison (Josh) Roberts, Kourtney (Holli) Baldwin,  Rachel Lovell, Mckenzie Berquam, Raegan (Benett)  McDonald , Austin Berquam, Morgan (Chris) Stanfield, and Justus Berquam. Great Grandchildren: Arie, Thayden, and Everly Roberts; Murphy and Paisley McDonald; Meriella Farve; and                Carter and Gabrielle Stanfield. Siblings: Evelyn (Paul) Crouse, David (Paula) Runnells. 

Anita is preceded in death by her grandson, Chase Lovell; her husband, Richard Weston; and her Aunt Jean Bishop, who raised her.