Rita Beyer
December 21, 1925 ~ November 4, 2020
Rita's Live Streamed Service can be viewed below starting at 10:45 AM:
Rita Eileen Beyer, age 94, peacefully passed on November 4th 2020, at The Olympia Nursing Care Center in Olympia, Washington
Rita was born at home on December 21, 1925 in Grand Forks, ND to Clarence P. and Helen Elizabeth (Nel) Adkins. Rita, known as “Red” (because of her red hair), was raised Catholic and attended St. Michael’s school. During WWII she worked in stock rooms at a couple different dime stores in downtown Grand Forks. Rita had teaching certificates in ceramics, and owned a ceramic business for about 20 years in her home.
Rita was married to Robert L. Bailey from 1946 to 1951. Rita later married Clifford H. Beyer on October 10, 1955 in East Grand Forks, MN. They lived in Grand Forks until 1962. They later moved to Minot where they lived until 1976, when they moved to Fargo. Rita moved to Eventide assisted living apartments in 2011, then moved to be near her daughters in 2017 in Yelm, WA.
Rita was an excellent and prolific seamstress, making many wedding and prom dresses for her family and neighborhood friends. Her passion was needle work, knitting many projects, including tiny doll sweaters. She crocheted numerous Afghans. Hand embroidery was her main hobby for the past several years, and made anything from quilts to hundreds of dish wipers. Seldom was she sitting without a project in her hands.
She had a great sense of humor, gave warm hugs, and loved all of her family very much.
Rita is survived by her children: Robert P. Bailey (Becky) Bemidji MN, Betty J. Markee (Chuck) Yelm WA, and Mark P. Beyer, Fargo ND, eight grandchildren: Michael, Paul, Dawn, Kara, Matthew, Randy, Danny and Chris, fifteen great grandchildren: Breanna, Conner, Alex, Neil, Ethan, Kacey, Brandon, Aidan, Devan, Alyssa, Erica, Calie, Hailee, Brooklyn, and Ben, and numerous Nieces and Nephews.
Rita is proceeded in death by her husband Clifford, parents Clarence and Nel Adkins (Murry), daughter Dianne M. Wieland, granddaughter Bonita L Widhalm, grandson Richard P. Markee, and siblings Philip Adkins, Patrick Adkins, Patricia Winters, Marie Rerick.
Our family would like to thank all the wonderful staff members and caregivers at Olympia Transitional Rehab and Nursing Home Center of Olympia WA. They took excellent care of “Grandma Rita” especially in this time of COVID-19. She knew the people who were with her cared about her until the end. Thank You!
Service will be held early summer of 2021.
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My wonderful Aunt Rita, a very special person in my life. She was always the fun, interesting, funny aunt. I believe my love of crafts started with her influence and I’m grateful to have some of her amazing handiwork to remember her by. I loved hearing our family history from the many stories she shared and also learned life lessons watching and listening to her. I marveled at her easy going and comfortable nature. She will always have a very special place in my heart.
Heartfelt sympathy to my cousins and all who knew and loved her.
Thoughts and prayers to the family, It’s been a very long time since I last seen Rita but I have thought of her often as she used to watch my brothers and I each summer when my parents went on vacation. Sad time but lots of good memories.
To the family of Rita, I grew up around the corner from Rita & Cliff on 6th Ave S., Fargo. I went to ceramics at their house on Tuesday nights with my mom and some cousins. We always had so much fun. I can still hear her laugh. It was a wonderful laugh and infectious. I think of her often. I have several ceramic pieces around my house. Rita was the only friend that I can remember my mom really having. They just clicked. We have a big family so mom mostly had us but Rita fit right in. My mom passed away 13 years ago so her ceramic pieces got passed down to us kids. We all liked Rita very much. She taught my mom to make different patterns for afghans. My mom had an afghan she was working on for a granddaughter and Rita finished it for us after my mom passed. She always had to do my eyes on my ceramic pieces. She knew so much about everything. We all had lively conversations. One always knew what Rita thought. I loved that abut her. May her soul forever be with out Savior Jesus Christ. God bless you all
While stationed at Minot AFB, Rita and family welcomed many of us servicemen into her home. There was always hot coffee and a home away from home. A lot of fond memories.
I have many fond memories of “great grandma Rita”. I’m so thankful to have moved here when Brandon was little so he could have the bond he did with her. She welcomed both of us into her home and life, her and Brandon were able to build a great relationship. I loved her stories and her infectious laugh! Thank you Rita for being a part of our family, thank you Betty for welcoming us into your home as well so Brandon could spend time with his great grandma!
Best,
Melissa, Brandon’s mom!
It is a year since Rita passed. I only found out recently. My belated condolences to the family. We had communicated with each over genealogy years ago. I was trying get in touch again when I found she had passed. My name is Jesse Adkins. I have been able to trace the Adkins line back to Europe thru the research of a group of genealogists. If anyone in her family is interested in what I have, please contact me. 3743 County Highway 65, Twin Valley, MN 56584. I believe she said a son of hers was helping her with family lineage.