Rita Henriette Plante (Desrosier) died on Nov. 7th 2022 in Fort Myers, FL. She was 85 years old.
Rita was born in Kertsonville Township near Crookston, MN, on May 29, 1937. She was the daughter of Albert and Stella (Perreault) Desrosier. Albert and Stella had eight children. The family farmed in the Kertsonville area until the death of Stella in 1955. Albert moved the younger children, including Rita, to South St. Paul, where she graduated from high school and returned to Crookston, attending St. Francis nursing school. She met Vernon, who was in the Air Force, and the couple married on January 30, 1960. Rita and Vernon raised their five children on the Plante farm near Gentilly, MN, until they retired in 1997. She also worked for Polk County Public Health for many years. Vern and Rita eventually sold the farm and enjoyed spending their summers on Lake of the Woods and their winters in Ft. Myers, FL.
Rita is survived by Vernon, her husband of 62 years. Their children Neal (Lori Hagl) of Gentilly, MN. Bradley (Birte Ibs) of Maple Grove, MN. Kevin of Madison, WI, Shelley Slator (Pat) of Eden Prairie, MN, and Shawn (Julie Schmitz) of Eden Prairie, MN. She is also survived by 10 Grandchildren; Christopher, Josephine, Nicole, Tristan, Haley, Kyla, Beth, Alec, Bjorn, and Jack. Two Great grandchildren, Roman and Charlie. Rita is also survived by her sister, Eloise Ganser Stillwater, MN, and two brothers, Edward (Delores Brule) Roseau, MN, and Robert of Richfield, MN., and many nieces and nephews.
Rita was a St. Peter’s Catholic Church member in Gentilly, MN. She served on the church board and ran Funeral Committees and many other church-related groups. She was a charter member of the local Catholic Daughters of America. Until her death, Rita was active in her “Homemakers Club,” where she had many long-lasting, supportive relationships. She was also a St. Columbkille Catholic Church member in Ft. Myers.
Rita enjoyed cooking, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and fishing on Lake of the Woods, Rita always seemed to catch the biggest fish!
Rita was unendingly resilient in the face of loss, selfless in service to others, Loving to all, and Faithful to God.
A memorial service will be held on May 27, 2023, at St. Peters Catholic Church in Gentilly, MN.
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