Rita Tomes

Rita Margaret Tomes died on Monday, October 22, 2012 at the Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar. She was born May 9, 1932 in Graceville, MN. She spent her adolescence in Graceville; Portland, Oregon and Murdock, MN, graduating from Murdock High School in May, 1950. She married Lawrence Tomes on January 31, 1952 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Olivia. Their newlywed years were spent at Great Lakes Naval Base in Waukegan, IL, where Rita held a government job, and then on to naval bases in Louisiana, North Carolina and Virginia. From there they moved to a farm near Sedan, MN in 1955. In 1964, the family moved to Portland, OR but returned to Minnesota in 1966 when they bought their farm near Maynard where they lived for the rest of their years. Larry and Rita were blessed with three sons and five daughters. Rita was a devoted wife, mother, homemaker, grandmother, great grandmother and friend. Countless hours were spent gardening, canning, picking berries, baking bread, bringing lunch out to the field, book keeping, sewing and helping with various 4H projects. She loved spending time with family and friends ? camping, traveling across the country and the treasured O'Malley and Tomes family reunions. She loved being out in nature ? especially riding the golf cart around the farm. Rita was a faithful member of St. Clara Catholic in Clara City, a Maynard Legion Auxiliary Member and a member of the Homemaker's Club and treasured the many friendships these brought. In 1982, after 30 years of marriage, Rita was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In the last eight years of her life, she battled congested heart failure. The many tasks that she lovingly did for years were taken over by her devoted husband. Often she regretted not being able to do more but it was her turn to be on the receiving end. Rita and Larry's children and grandchildren will always remember the faithful example they set of Christian love. They truly showed their love for their Savior in the tender and loving way they served each other. On January 31, 2012, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They were blessed with wonderful care from Home Health Care, Hospice, Avenues of Care and the medical staff at Rice Memorial Hospital. Rita is survived by her husband, Larry, her children: Kevin Tomes (Rich Anderson) of St. Paul, Cathy Bristle (John) of Maynard, David Tomes (Lu) of Montevideo, Theresa Weitendorf (John) of Wilmington, IL, Becky Grimm (Kevin) of Brooklyn Park, Mary Grefe (Tom) of Nicollet, and Sharon Roberts (Jay) of Watertown, SD as well as 25 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Rita is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Sue Stavne, sister-in-law, Pat Keltgen, and her brother-in-law, Marvin Honl.Rita was preceded in death by her son; Kurt Tomes, her parents; Charles and Violet O'Malley, father and mother-in-law Lue and Rose Tomes; her brothers Al and William O'Malley; sister-in-law Millie O'Malley; her sister Molly Honl; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Chet and Caroline Tomes; and sister-in-law Rosemarie Tomes. Memorial gifts may be made in Rita's name to Hospice at Rice Memorial Hospital or the St. Clara Catholic Church in Clara City, MN or the charity of your choice.