1927
Rita
2017
Rita J. Arendt
November 4, 1927 — March 19, 2017
Rita Jeanne Arendt, age 89, of Mazeppa passed away on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at Samaritan Bethany in Rochester, surrounded by her family. The memorial mass will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 11:00 AM at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Mazeppa with Father Joseph Fogal officiating. Inurnment will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Bellechester. Visitation will be on Friday, March 24, 2017 from 4:00 - 7:00 PM at the Mahn Family Funeral Home - Larson Chapel in Zumbrota, (with a rosary at 4:00 PM), and on Saturday at the church one hour prior to mass.
Rita Jeanne Strauss was born on November 4, 1927 in Red Wing, MN to Frank M. and Allie (Majerus) Strauss. She grew up in Bellechester, attended St. Mary's Catholic School and graduated high school from Villa Maria Academy in Frontenac in 1945. Rita continued her education at St. Benedict's College and received her Teaching Certificate from St. Cloud State Teachers College. Rita taught at a country school for one year and also taught first grade at Mazeppa Elementary School. On December 27, 1950 she married Neil Arendt at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bellechester. Together they farmed the Arendt family farm, where they raised their eight children and cared for many foster children. Rita was a charter and lifelong member of Court St. Mary-Peter Catholic Daughters. She taught CCD, was a member of St. Mary's CCW, and a 4H leader. Rita enjoyed getting together with her high school graduating class and maintained lifelong friendships with the Ursuline nuns, who operated the Villa Maria. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, family vacations, wintering in Florida, and gatherings at the family cabin. She was an avid reader and liked tending to her flower gardens, embroidering, and entertaining family and friends on the farm.
Rita is survived by her daughters, Jeanette (Fred) Richardson of Mazeppa, Teresa Arendt of North Mankato, Deb (Kevin) Pederson of Eagan, Berna (R.J.) Frascone of Lake Elmo and Rita (Mark Muhs) Arendt of Rochester; sons, Steve (Rhonda) Arendt of Eden Prairie, Matt (Deb) Arendt of Mazeppa and Dan (Beth) Arendt of Mazeppa; 21 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and sister, Jeanette Zelenak of Woodbury.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents, husband Neil, and two brothers, Clem and Gerald Strauss.
Memorials are preferred to the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery Fund - Bellechester.
1475 Jefferson Drive
Zumbrota, MN 55992
Mazeppa, MN
Mazeppa, MN
Rita Jeanne Strauss was born on November 4, 1927 in Red Wing, MN to Frank M. and Allie (Majerus) Strauss. She grew up in Bellechester, attended St. Mary's Catholic School and graduated high school from Villa Maria Academy in Frontenac in 1945. Rita continued her education at St. Benedict's College and received her Teaching Certificate from St. Cloud State Teachers College. Rita taught at a country school for one year and also taught first grade at Mazeppa Elementary School. On December 27, 1950 she married Neil Arendt at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bellechester. Together they farmed the Arendt family farm, where they raised their eight children and cared for many foster children. Rita was a charter and lifelong member of Court St. Mary-Peter Catholic Daughters. She taught CCD, was a member of St. Mary's CCW, and a 4H leader. Rita enjoyed getting together with her high school graduating class and maintained lifelong friendships with the Ursuline nuns, who operated the Villa Maria. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, family vacations, wintering in Florida, and gatherings at the family cabin. She was an avid reader and liked tending to her flower gardens, embroidering, and entertaining family and friends on the farm.
Rita is survived by her daughters, Jeanette (Fred) Richardson of Mazeppa, Teresa Arendt of North Mankato, Deb (Kevin) Pederson of Eagan, Berna (R.J.) Frascone of Lake Elmo and Rita (Mark Muhs) Arendt of Rochester; sons, Steve (Rhonda) Arendt of Eden Prairie, Matt (Deb) Arendt of Mazeppa and Dan (Beth) Arendt of Mazeppa; 21 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and sister, Jeanette Zelenak of Woodbury.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents, husband Neil, and two brothers, Clem and Gerald Strauss.
Memorials are preferred to the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery Fund - Bellechester.
Visitation
MAR 24. 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)
Mahn Family Funeral Home, Larson Chapel1475 Jefferson Drive
Zumbrota, MN 55992
Visitation
MAR 25. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CDT)
Ss Peter & Paul Catholic ChurchMazeppa, MN
Memorial Service
MAR 25. 11:00 AM (CDT)
Ss Peter & Paul Catholic ChurchMazeppa, MN
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