Marita Landa Obituary

I share the sentiments of my friends and fellow Peace Corps volunteers. Like them, I had the pleasure and privilege of getting to know Marita in Burkina Faso. Marita comforted and inspired us. She was so beautiful and down-to-earth, practical and fun. She helped us all to be braver, I think. What a lady.



To her family, please accept my heartfelt condolences.

Our 3 months training in Burkina Faso would have been unbearable without Marita. I can say without a second of hesitation that Marita was a beautiful person inside and out. I looked to her as the person to emulate. She was always funny, honest, wise and never spoke a cruel word. We all loved her. My life has truly been blessed to have met her. I'll always remember and cherish our conversations. God must have needed an angel back in heaven.

Marita was not only a friend, but a mother to all of her fellow Peace Corps volunteers. She truly leaves a trail of beautiful memories behind her.

Words alone will never do justice to fully describing the magnitude of Marita’s influence and impact on others! It was a privilege to have been roommates with her during our 3-month training in Burkina Faso, during Peace Corps. We also remained in contact after our Peace Corps tour upon her return to Chicago.



Marita’s spirit, spunk, and love of life truly contradicted how a 59-year-old “should” behave. At the age of 23, I was a sponge ready to absorb as much advice from my new roomy as possible. She was not only a beautiful and intelligent person – but Marita was a genuine humanitarian – simple and plain! She was always there to comfort me while I complained and often cried about missing my loved ones and friends. Many nights, while listening to the harmonious sounds of Handel’s Messiah and the cackle of roosters outside our bedroom window, Marita, being the awesome storyteller she was, would share tales of her husband, children, and grandchildren. She was quite the comedian as well – so it was my pleasure to give my undivided attention whenever necessary.



I think God broke the mold when he created Marita – from Finland to Chicago to West Africa – Marita left her imprint. I love you Marita! May God bless your soul. I send my heartfelt condolences to the Landa family! Be strong and know that “your” Marita will not only continue to live long in your hearts, but in the hearts of many other people around the world!

Marita was an amazing women who inspired me, encouraged me, laughed with me and cried with me. I will never forget what a wonderful influnce she had on my life. If I can only live up to her example and to touch so many others in such a positive way, I will miss her greatly. To her family you were truely blessed with a wonderful mother and Grandmother who was so proud of you! over candle light we shared pictures of you ! Burkina was lucky to have such a great lady.

I knew Marita in Burkina Faso. We were in the same stage group together and she was roomates with my closest neighbor and best friend. She was a wonderful lady and had the spirit and spunk of a 20 year old. I was 22 at the time and was struggling with the heat, the food and all the other adjustments that go along with living in Africa for the first time and Marita always had a smile on her face and way to make it seem not that bad! My condolences go out to her family and friends, she will be missed. Thank you for allowing the opportunity to say a few words about a wonderful lady.

Melissa (Blaschke) Blumhagen

Marita was an inspiration to all of her fellow Peace Corps volunteers. What a strong person!

Hello. My name is Felicia Smith. Marita volunteered in our library and was my personal mentor and close friend. She will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. She deeply loved her family and so I wanted to express my most heart felt condolences to them. I am honestly a much better person for having known Marita Landa.