|
Rita W. Billstrom
Rita Westra Billstrom left us peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, at the Bethany Good Samaritan Home in Brainerd, Minn. She was 87 years old.
Rita was born on Feb. 19, 1922, on the family farm in Wadena County, Minn. She grew up in Nimrod and Sebeka, graduating from Sebeka High School in 1941.
She worked for Charles Wright Aircraft in St. Louis, Mo., during the war years of 1942-1945; she then worked at First National Bank in Minneapolis until her marriage. In 1953, she married Curtis L. Billstrom of Mora, Minn., at the Basilica Chapel in Minneapolis. Rita and Curt raised their family in north Minneapolis before retiring to Curt's hometown of Mora, Minn., in 1973.
After Curt's death in 1995, Rita moved closer to her daughters; first to Burnsville and then to Brainerd, Minn.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Mary Westra; and her brothers, Aelred, John and Gerald. She is survived by her children, Mary Beth (Blaine), Danette (Clayton) and Mark (Beth); her beloved sisters, Trinetta, Mary Carmen and Anastasia; her cherished grandchildren, Beth (Aaron), Amber (Chris), Erin, Jacob, Joseph and Keller; and her treasured great-grandchildren, Caleb, Joshua, Annie and Ella.
Heartfelt gratitude is extended to Rita's caregivers at the Hallett Cottages in Crosby, Minn., and the nursing/care giving staff of Stations 4 and 5 at Bethany Good Samaritan, Brainerd. Special thanks to the hospice team for their attentive and compassionate care at the end of Rita's life.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mora with Father Timothy Wozniak officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, at Dresser-Methven Funeral Home in Mora as well as one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hallett Cottages in Crosby, Minn., or the Station 4 Alzheimer's Unit at Bethany Good Samaritan in Brainerd.
Arrangements by Dresser-Methven Funeral Home.
To Subscribe to the Brainerd Dispatch, Click Here.
|
Top Commented Articles
