Rita Ruth Nygaard

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Nygaard, Rita Ruth age 92 of St. Michael, formerly of Eden Prairie, passed away Tuesday, August 23, 2016. Rita was born January 26, 1924 in Madison, South Dakota, the daughter of Walter and Mary (Molumby) Huntimer. Rita grew up on a farm in Winfred, South Dakota. After graduating from high school in Winfred, she attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls. While in college, she decided to answer the nationwide call to help out with the war effort during World War II. She left college, went to Washington DC, and worked at the Pentagon in the War Department as a secretary. While in D.C., she met her future husband, Kenneth, a Marine Corps sergeant, on a blind date. They got married in Cambridge, Massachusetts on August 18, 1944. They honeymooned in New York City. They eventually made their way to Eden Prairie, Minnesota in 1950 where they built a home. They lived there for almost 50 years, raising 6 children. They moved to St. Michael in 1998. They made many new friends at their townhome complex and St. Michael Catholic Church. Rita was very devoted to her faith and was active in her church until her health began to fail. The family would like to give a special thanks to Rita's "townhome friends" who regularly came to visit her at The Legacy, the staff at The Legacy and St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care and support they provided. She absolutely loved living there! She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Nygaard; and siblings, Harold Huntimer, Max Huntimer, Fr. Don Huntimer, and Sr. Laura Huntimer. Survived by her children, Michael Nygaard, Mary Nygaard, Jane (Lynn) Johnson, Jean Nygaard, Steven (Terri) Nygaard, Richard Nygaard; grandchildren, Rachel Nygaard, Amy (Matthew) Mickelson, Adrienne Henshaw, Natalie Henshaw, Olivia Henshaw, Jamie Nygaard; great-grandchildren, Zeb Nygaard, Caleb Kamish, Tyler Stier; sisters, Sr. Jean Huntimer, Kathleen Huntimer, Julie (Dan) Lassegard; and many nieces, nephews, family and friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, August 29, 2016 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Michael Catholic Church. Visitation will be held at the church beginning at 9:30 A.M. Father Thomas McCabe will be the celebrant. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Serving the family is The Peterson Chapel St. Michael Albertville Funeral Home in St. Michael. 763-497-5362 thepetersonchapel.com

Published on August 28, 2016