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Rita Beise Obituary – 6/28/2011


Rita Beise, loving wife, mother and grandmother, of Loretto, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family June 28, 2011, at the age of 70.

She was born Jan. 14, 1941, in Monticello. She grew up on a dairy farm in Greenfield and lived there her whole life with her loving husband, Duane.

Rita graduated from Buffalo High School in 1958. She won the prestigious Betty Crocker Award and started working for General Mills until she married in 1960.

Rita was very well-known for her cooking and baking abilities: especially her peanut squares, caramel pecan bars, and famous “kuchens.”

She was a lifelong member of the Salem Lutheran Ladies Aid.

Rita loved being outside working in the fields, gardening, and canning her homegrown vegetables.

Rita’s life was exemplified by her faith and her family. She was a role model as a strong Christian, and her pride and joy came through spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Lillian Harff; and sisters Dorothy (Richard) Gutknecht, and Caroline Bechtold.

Rita is survived by her loving husband of over 50 years, Duane; son Doug (Deb) Beise of Greenfield; daughter, Barb (Jaime) Sherwood of Greenfield; and son David (Laura) Beise of Chanhassen; and grandchildren Ashley Beise, Ben Beise, Mason Beise, Maya Beise, and Megan Sherwood.

She is further survived by sisters Marlys (Howard) Schleif, Kathleen (Ronald) Tiemann, and Renata (Jack) Russek; brother-in-law Willmar Bechtold; sisters-in-law Mayella Yonak, Arvella Veches, and Judy Beise; brothers-in-law Dennis (Janet) Beise, and Kenneth (Sharon) Beise; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends who loved her dearly.

The funeral service took place Saturday, July 2 at 11 a.m. at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Greenfield, where Rita was baptized, confirmed, married, and now was laid to rest.

Visitation was Friday, July 1 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Salem Ev. Lutheran Church, with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service, and continued Saturday one hour prior to the funeral service at the church.

Casket bearers were Tim Bechtold, Terry Schleif, Ken Schleif, Daryl Schleif, Mark Tiemann, Steve Gutknecht, Doug Stewart, and Marvin Marketon.

The Peterson Chapel St. Michael-Albertville Funeral Home served the family.

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