Rita C. Wille

Rita C. Wille, age 101, of Alexandria passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at Bethany on the Lake in Alexandria under the care of Moments Hospice.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, October 25, 2024, at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria with Fr. Dan Ruprecht officiating. Entombment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery Mausoleum.

Visitation will begin with parish prayers at 5 p.m., on Thursday, October 24th and conclude at 7 p.m., at Lind Family Funeral Home in Alexandria. The visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. 

Rita was born on July 6, 1923, to Peter and Anna (Buerskin) Klimek at home in Leaf Valley Township. She was baptized and confirmed at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Millerville. Rita graduated from the eighth grade at St. Mary's Parochial School in Millerville. Following her education, Rita moved to the Twin Cities to work in an industrial plant in order to assist with the war effort during World War II and met her future husband. She was united in marriage to Richard W. Wille on June 23, 1947, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church. Following their marriage, they farmed with his parents, Paul and Rosetta Wille just north of Alexandria until Paul’s passing in 1954. Rita and Richard moved to a farm near Lake Louise where they raised their six children. In 1971, they moved to Garfield. Rita had a very positive attitude and loved being around and working with people. She worked as a waitress for many years, first at the Alexandria Golf Club and then at the Colonial Club near Nelson. Prior to retiring, Rita loved working with children serving in the kitchen at Central High School and Woodland Elementary School. She enjoyed traveling to Rapid City, Illinois, Hawaii, Germany and Florida. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard in 1993; son, Robert in 2004; son-in-law, Jack Peterson; granddaughter, Rikki Wille; brothers, Wilbert, Gebhart and Jerome Klimek; and sisters, Dorothy Koep and Sr. Lois Klimek, OSB.

Rita is survived by her two sons, Richard P. Wille of Garfield and Raymond (Cheryl) Wille of Alexandria; three daughters, Diane Wille of Alexandria, Mary (Robert) Koep of North Branch, and Patti Peterson of Bloomington; daughter-in-law, Sue Wille of Elk River; nine grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Adelaide Klimek and Delleen Klimek; along with numerous nephews and nieces.

Pallbearers are her grandchildren, Tim Koep, Tom Koep, Bobbie Sue Sack, Stacy Kaufman, Travis Peterson, Zak Peterson, Matt Wille, Tina Koep, and Terri Bessire.

Special thanks to the nursing staff at Bethany on the Lake, Latoka Landing for being so friendly, kind, professional and going above and beyond for our mom. A special thank you to Moments Hospice for their compassionate care during mom’s final days. She will be greatly missed by her family and will leave cherished memories for many.