Rita A. Atkinson

Rita A. Atkinson, 94-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minnesota, passed away Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at the Little Falls Care Center in Little Falls, Minnesota.

Mass of Christian Burial held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, Minnesota with Father Patrick Hoeft officiating. Burial in the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota. Visitation held from 9-11 A.M. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, Minnesota. Caring for Rita and her family is the LeMieur Funeral Home in Little Falls, Minnesota.

Rita Atkinson was born in Bowlus, Minnesota, to the late Joseph and Frances (Gallus) Schwientek. She grew up in the Bowlus area and graduated from St. Francis High School with the Class of 1949. She was united in marriage to Richard Atkinson on May 7, 1951, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flensburg, Minnesota. Together they made their home in Upsala, Minnesota for several years before moving to Little Falls in 1964, where Rita lived until her health declined and she later moved to a care home. Rita devoted her life to raising and caring for her ten children, a role she embraced with unwavering love, patience, and dedication. Family was the center of her life, and she had a special love for the many babies born into her family, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Each one dearly loved and cherished by her. A woman of deep faith, Rita was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and lived her strong Catholic faith daily through kindness, humility, and service to others. She was known for always seeing the good in everyone and never speaking a bad word about anyone. Rita was a wonderful cook and found great joy in preparing meals for her family. She was an excellent seamstress who loved embroidering and crocheting. With great care and love, she made a quilt for each of her grandchildren and created many clothing outfits for both her children and grandchildren, treasured gifts that will continue to be cherished for generations. Rita also had a competitive spirit and greatly enjoyed playing bingo and card games, always playing to win. Rita will be remembered for her gentle heart, quiet strength, devotion to faith and family, and the love she gave so freely to all who knew her.

She is survived by children, Sharon (Alan) Petrich, Debi (Duane) Bobick, Diane (Wayne) Pruszinske, Greg (Sheri) Atkinson, Sandy (Rob) Wilczek, Linda (Jim Jr.) Hilmerson, Richard Jr. (Terry) Atkinson, Robert (Lidia) Atkinson, Pam (Karl) Gillingham and Scott Atkinson; siblings, Josephine Schneider, Stella McGraw, Karline (Bill) Herbrand and Roger Schwientek; 31 grandchildren, 70 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Rita was preceded in death by parents, Joseph and Frances Schwientek; husband, Richard Atkinson Sr; siblings, Lois West, Mary Ann Cipala, Elaine Rodseth, BJ Schwientek and Allen Schwientek; and infant grandchildren, Matthew and Dalona.