Cecilia Ruth Pettit, of Palm Desert, CA formerly of Red Lake Falls, MN died on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at Palm Desert, CA. 
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM on January 1, 2022 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Red Lake Falls, MN with Father Bob Schreiner presiding. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake Falls, MN. Visitation will be held on Friday 5 – 8 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service at St. Joseph Catholic Church and also one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
Cecilia Ruth Cariveau was born on October 15, 1932 at St. Michael Hospital in Grand Forks, ND to Leo James and Violet Marie (Bushee) Cariveau. Cecilia was confirmed in Faibout, MN in about 1950. She attended Sacred Heart School until 5th Grade and graduated from School for the Deaf in Faibeau, MN in 1952.
Cecilia worked in Minneapolis, MN for a time then moved back to East Grand Forks, and worked at Senger Grovy Stone for many years.
On February 13, 1960 Cecilia was united in marriage to Edward Pettit in East Grand Forks, MN.
Cecilia moved to Syracuse, New York in December of 1960 and worked at a home daycare for families on base. In 1969 Cecilia and her children moved to Red Lake Falls while Ed was transferred to Ester Islands. In 1971 the family moved to California where she was a teacher for people with disabilities and the area coordinator for Special Olympics for at least 10 years. After retirement, Cecilia and her husband sold their home in California and moved to Bismarck, ND, and later to Red Lake Falls, after the passing of her husband she moved to Palm Desert, CA to be with her children.
Cecilia enjoyed sewing, crocheting, knitting, gardening, baking, doing crossword puzzles, and participated as a reading buddy at Hughs School. She was a member of St Joseph Church and Guild, a Senior Nutrition Board, and a member of Sunview Auxiliary.
Cecilia is survived by her 4 children Timothy Lee Pettit, Mandan, ND, Mary Beth Pettit, Anza, CA, Teresa Pettit, Palm Desert, CA, and Ramona Schultz, Grand Junction, CO; sister Jean (Bill) Maser, Red Lake Falls, MN, and 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Cecilia is preceded in death by her husband Edward Pettit; parents; brothers and sisters Vincent, Bob, Roger, Michael, Clarence “King”; Rose Suedel, Lillian Wright, and Ann Johnson.
Family condolences may be sent to www.johnsonfuneralservice.com
