Rhonda Ja Weber, 69, of Madrid, Iowa, passed away on December 21st, 2025, at the Boone County Hospital in Boone, Iowa, after a long illness.
Rhonda was born on August 28th, 1956, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Harlan and Betty Helm. She spent her childhood in Greene, Iowa, and graduated from Greene High School in 1975. Her passion for working with young children led her to pursue higher education, first at North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City and then at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Lower Elementary Education in 1979.
Rhonda met her husband, Leon Anthony Weber, while working as a waitress at Lil’ Napoleon’s Restaurant in Charles City in 1982. They were married in Greene, Iowa in October of 1983 and were married for 42 years. They built a life together that included residences in Charles City, Roland, and eventually an acreage in Madrid that was their cherished home for 28 years.
Throughout her career, Rhonda devoted herself to supporting young children and those with special needs, finding deep joy and purpose in helping them grow. She ran her own daycare for several years and later shared her gifts at Little Flock Daycare in Story City and Tiger Tots Daycare in Madrid. She was especially proud of her twelve years as a Special Education Assistant with the Boone Community Schools, a role she cherished until her retirement in 2012.
Rhonda was a woman of many talents. A gifted singer, she lent her beautiful voice to church and college choirs and even sang at weddings. She loved the stage and appeared in, and even starred in, several community musical theater roles in Charles City and Story City. Watching musicals—especially The Sound of Music—always had a special place in her heart, as well as any performance that might feature dancing or ice skating.
Creative at home as well, Rhonda enjoyed sewing and lovingly made clothes for her children and nieces. She also developed a fond appreciation for Native American art and memorabilia. She delighted in the hunt for treasures at garage sales, had fun decorating her home, and took great pride in her appearance—always making sure her makeup, coordinated outfit, and hair were just right. Her beloved puppy, Cubbie, was a great part of her daily joys.
Rhonda was known for her kindness, her great smile and laugh, and the strength she showed during hard times. She always especially cherished memories of her dad, Harlan, who was a coach at Greene High School for many years and also her beloved Nanna and Gramp and their farm. Rhonda dearly loved her two sons who were both born prematurely and she helped them grow into strong, fine young men who she was very proud of. She had a memorable impact on the children she worked with and will be remembered for the joy and kindness she extended to so many.
Rhonda is lovingly remembered by her husband, Leon Anthony Weber; her sons, Benjamin Jay Weber and his wife Mary, and Colby Lee Weber and his significant other Lauren Davis; her grandchildren, Lilyanna Weber, Cayden Weber, and Wyatt Weber; her sister, Robbin Wiley and her husband Bruce; her nieces, Jenny Ibrahim and her daughter Julia Ibrahim, and Melissa Matelski, her husband Jacob and son Ethan; her sister-in-law, Cindy Weber and her cousin, Lisa Pederson. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, relatives and close friends from work, school and her time at Eastern Star Masonic Home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harlan and Betty Helm, her grandparents and her cousin, Joel Elbert.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at the Eastern Star Masonic Home and the Boone County Hospital for the compassionate care Rhonda received.
A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, January 9, 2026, from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm at the Eastern Star Masonic Home, 715 W Mamie Eisenhower Ave, Boone, IA.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to Rhonda’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com.
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