Dorothy Rita Willmus

Age 87 of Roseville, MN Passed away peacefully on December 3, 2022, surrounded by her devoted family. The youngest of six children, Rita was born August 3, 1935 to Mary "Mae" Elizabeth (Conlogue) Holl (a school teacher) and Frederick Ferdinand Holl (a streetcar driver) in North St. Paul, MN. Preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Rev. James Holl, John Holl, Eugene "Freddy" Holl, and Aileen Koenen. Survived by her beloved husband of 67 years, Thomas Willmus, her children Mark, Rose (Mike) O'Rourke, John (Mary), Paul (Patty), Teresa (Blaine), Joseph, and Bob (Debby), her grandchildren Megan (Eddie), Lila (Matt), Ryan (Jenna), Lydia (Nick), Ashley, Justin, Allison, Thomas (Kiersten), Matthew (Leah), Austin, Adam (Maddie), Michael (Katie), James, Marion, Nicole (Logan), Katheryn, Daniel, Grant (Lynsey) and Amanda (Jordan) as well as great-grandchildren Oliver, Henry, Colin, Kelly, Levi, Fiona, Carter and Mariam, and Rita's sister Patricia Johnson. Rita talked fondly of her childhood in North St. Paul with her siblings and cousins. She valued her Catholic education from St. Peter's North St. Paul, St. Agnes High School, and St. Catherine College (Nursing) before leaving to marry her high school sweetheart, Tom. Together Rita and Tom started their family, supported each other throughout Tom's veterinary medical school years, and partnered on many business ventures over their long life together. Rita's parents and her oldest brother, Fr. James, were guiding lights in her faith formation. Traveling was a favorite pastime for Rita and Tom. In the early years it was tent camping with their children, and later crisscrossing the country in their motorhome or traveling the world. Summer weekends would find Rita presiding over spontaneous family gatherings at home on Lake Josephine with children and Labradors the honored guests. Holidays were made special by Rita's outpouring of love to all. Her vocation in life was devotion to faith and family. Tom and family would like to thank her caregivers and medical team for their support of Rita this past year as she bravely faced her brain cancer journey. Please join the family on Friday, Dec. 16th at St. Odilia Catholic Church 3495 Victoria St. N., Shoreview, MN 55126. 11am Visitation at Church, 12pm Mass of Christian Burial, and interment at Resurrection cemetery immediately following mass. There will not be a luncheon. In lieu of flowers, donations preferred to St. Agnes High School in memory of Rita (Holl)

Tributes

Dorothy Rita Willmus

August 3, 1935 - December 3, 2022

Tributes

Dorothy Rita Willmus

August 3, 1935 - December 3, 2022

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