Rita M. Alexander

Funeral Mass for Rita Alexander will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wesley. Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 A.M. with a rosary beginning at 9:30 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wesley. Inurnment will be in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Rita Marie (Schiltz) Alexander was born February 10, 1955, in Estherville, Iowa, the daughter of Lawrence and Rosemary Schiltz, the fifth of their twelve children.
A standout student, Rita graduated from Garrigan High School in 1973. Her drive and curiosity led her to Marquette University in Milwaukee, where she earned her degree in dental hygiene. She made a career out of putting people at ease in the dentist's chair, bringing a gentle touch and genuine care to her work.
In 1988 Rita wed Mark Alexander, sharing 20 years of marriage and remaining devoted friends. Rita made her home in Dallas, Texas, where she lived for 35 years, creating a family of close friends and colleagues who filled her life with love, laughter, and support. She will be deeply missed by her Dallas family, including dear friend Carmen Toal. Rita was a devoted dog-mom with a penchant for pugs. She cared for many four-legged companions over the years. Her most recent, Bella, was always at her side.
Rita loved gardening, quilting, knitting, and reading. If she wasn't tending to her flowers, you could find her piecing together intricate quilts or lost in a good book. She was also a traveler, teaching school in Germany for three years and collecting stories from her adventures. Her greatest passions were her family and her deeply rooted faith. Rita was an active member of St. Jude Catholic Church in Allen, Texas where she organized retreats encouraging women to grow in their relationship with Christ.
Rita passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, in Coon Rapids, at the age of 69 after a long courageous battle with cancer. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness and devotion to family and friends. She is survived by siblings-Jim (Connie) Schiltz, Patrick Schiltz, Paul (Diane) Schiltz, Anthony Schiltz, Larry (Nina) Schiltz, Rose (Lynn) Knudsen, Phil (Illa) Schiltz, Ruth Semro, and Anita (Steve) Schiltz-Loitz-who will forever cherish her memory, along with sister-in-law Mari Rae Schiltz, and many nieces and nephews who adored her.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence & Rosemary, and brothers Bernard and Mike. Her warmth, wit, and grace will be dearly missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.