Obituary of Rita Bartos

Bartos, Rita Helen (Seivert) 12/20/1932-5/14/2024. Rita peacefully left her earthly confines the morning of May 14th. Her loving children wished her farewell as she was met on the other side of the veil by her husband Willard (50 years married), her parents, brothers, sisters, son-in-law Steve Rychly, and many friends who passed before her. Rita was one of six children who grew up on a farm near Lake Benton, MN. Upon getting her teaching certificate, she taught school in a one-room school house before getting married and raising six kids in Brooklyn Center, MN. As her children got older, she worked part time as a waitress for Woolworths at the Brookdale Mall and then at the IDS center in Minneapolis. She was a skilled seamstress, an excellent cook, an enthusiastic Campfire Girl leader, and an adept crossword puzzle solver. Rita also enjoyed family “pop-up camper” outings with several close friends. Additionally, she and Willard loved to dance waltzes and polkas. She was warm, generous, and the kindest person on earth.

Rita is survived by her children: Roxanne Rychly, Yvonne Armada (Michael), Barbara Widmann (Terence), Alan Bartos (Marianne), Lisa Bennett (Michael), and Andrea Sztajnkrycer (Matthew).

Rita has twelve grandchildren: Trevor Rychly, Allyson Pavlick, Christopher Armada, Melanie McCann, Christine Legendre, Daniel Widmann, Joseph Bartos, Leo Bartos, Blake Bennett, Bradley Bennett, Luke Sztajnkrycer, and Timothy Sztajnkrycer.

Rita has six great grandchildren: Ella, Emily, and Collin Armada; Alice McCann; Addie Legendre and Poppy Widmann.

Rita held the distinction as the resident who called the Lakeside floor her home for the longest duration—she moved to St. Therese very soon after it opened on March 23, 2013. She enjoyed the many activities and the Catholic community.

We thank the many nurses and caregivers for their loving care and all those who brightened her years.

There will be a celebration of Rita's life in July and a private interment will be held at Ft. Snelling. Comments to Rita’s family can be sent to ritabfamilymn@gmail.com.