Rita Marie Ryan, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on March 11, 2022.
Rita was born to John and Loretta (Ebbers) Staples on September 20, 1941, in Slayton, Minn. She grew up in Avoca Minn., then moved to Rochester, Minn., soon after she graduated in 1959. Rita met the love of her life, Jim Ryan, while they both worked at St. Marys Hospital. They were married on February 19, 1966, during a raging blizzard. The couple settled in Spring Valley and were blessed with a son, Jeff, and a daughter, Kelly. Rita was an extremely talented baker, cake decorator, and cook and enjoyed sharing the fruits of her labor with so many others. She was very proud of her great homemaking abilities, enjoyed tending to her many plants, spending time with her close friends, talking about her wonderful grandkids, and spoiling her cats. She was a skilled seamstress, a true artist with a crochet hook and knitting needles and shared those talents by making and donating hats and blankets to Bundles of Love, Ronald McDonald House, and Salvation Army. Rita was an amazingly kind, thoughtful, compassionate and giving person. She was very active in Ladies Aid at St. Ignatius Catholic church, and countless other volunteer activities.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years Jim, son Jeff and grandson Ben of Duluth, and daughter Kelly (Gerald) Burt and grandchildren Anastasia and Nicholas of Blaine.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to be made in her honor to a charity of the giver’s choice.
Memorial services for Rita will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 16 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Spring Valley, with Father Marreddy Pothrieddy officiating. Burial will take place in the church cemetery following the service. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 15 at Hindt Funeral Home in Spring Valley and will continue from 10-11 a.m. on Wednesday at the church.
Condolences may be left at www.Hindtfuneralhomes.com.