Baudette – Rita Brown, 99, died Thursday, March 22, 2007 at the Lakewood Care Center in Baudette.
A memorial service is pending at the Lakewood Care Center in Baudette. Interment will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Rolla, N.D. Arrangements are with Collins Funeral Home of Greenbush.
Rita Rosalie Brown was born on January 19, 1908 in Overly, N.D. to Francis and Marie (Daniels) Schaefer. She grew up and attended school in Bisbee, N.D., and was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith.
She graduated from high school at the age of 16 and then went on to attend Valley City State where she earned her 2 year teacher’s certificate leading her to teaching jobs in Hansboro, Streeter, Picton, Great Walker and Rolla, N.D. She was united in marriage to Charles Brown on January 2, 1932 in Cando, N.D., and the two made their home on a farm in Hansboro for a period of time before moving to Rolla. Charles passed away in 1963 and she continued to make her home in Rolla.
She received her BA from Minot State in 1964 and then while teaching in Belcourt received her Masters from the University of North Dakota in 1970. She moved to Grand Forks and was employed at UND in the Teacher Corps Division of the Department of Education, teaching language arts for a number of years until her retirement. She continued to make her home in Grand Forks until she entered the Karlstad Health Care Center in 1998 where she resided for 2 years.
Rita was very active in sports and music throughout her entire life and was a member of the Silver Haired Legislature for 3 terms in Grand Forks, and a member of Grand Forks Woman’s Club, Grand Forks Scotties, and the Retired Teachers Association.
Rita is survived by her son, Charles (Gloria) Brown of Williams; one grandson; two step-granddaughters; one sister, Edith Peterson of Salem, Ore., along with many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; four brothers, Rhinard, Everett, Charles, and Burnett; two sisters, Mildred and Lydia. A00003B2007MR28