Rita Anne Anderson

Rita Anne Anderson, age 89 of Granite Falls, Minnesota, was called home to be with Jesus on January 4, 2026.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 1:00 PM at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Granite Falls. Father John Hayes will officiate and burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.

Arrangements are with Anderson – TeBeest Funeral Home of Granite Falls. www.andersontebeest.com

Rita Anne Anderson was born on September 1, 1936 to Albert and Emily (Hendrickx) Kasowski in Casselton, North Dakota and grew up with seven sisters and two brothers.

Rita graduated high school from St. Francis Academy in Hankinson, North Dakota. She went on to attend Teachers College in Valley City, North Dakota, earning a BS in Education with a major in Elementary Education and minor in Geography and Home Economics. She briefly taught at a rural school near Alice, North Dakota, and then went on to teach second grade in Hawley, Minnesota. In 1958, she arrived at Bert Raney Elementary in Granite Falls to teach third grade, a position she held for six years before resigning to be a stay-at-home mom. In the fall of 1978, she returned to serve as a Title I teacher. From 1989 through 1994 she spent her summers studying at Hamline University in St. Paul and obtained her ESL license while still raising her family at home. She then worked as an ESL teacher, retiring in 2002. Rita LOVED Bert Raney Elementary and couldn't quite give up teaching after retirement. She was quoted in the Advocate Tribune after 45 years of teaching; "They'll probably still be able to coerce me into working as a substitute teacher. Teaching is the best job I've ever had -- it's really hard for me to quit doing it. There's been a lot of fun people I've worked with who've made me laugh every day. I've really loved it here." Rita and her teacher friends relished in visiting Dallas after school while enjoying some "beer and butter."

Rita met John (Jack) Anderson at the Bronze Boot while teaching in Granite Falls. They were united in marriage on August 10, 1963 and had four children, Jacqueline, Mary, John, and Anne (lovingly referred to as the caboose of the family).

Beyond her career, Rita lived a life of service, rooted in her strong Catholic faith. She was a devoted member of St. Andrew Catholic Church, where she volunteered faithfully and found joy in serving others. She spent countless hours at the church, always in the background, mending clothes for the parishioners and the priest, sewing baptismal smocks, working the annual fall fair, tending to the flowers around the church, pulling weeds, or cleaning the grounds. She always found ways to serve while quietly creating a place where people felt a sense of connection. She also served on many church boards, offering leadership, compassion, and wisdom. She often said, “If I can help make this place a little better, then my work is worthwhile.” She lived by that belief, proving that small acts of kindness truly shape a community.

Rita cherished life’s simple, meaningful pleasures—sewing, gardening, traveling, birdwatching, and playing “Nertz” with anyone and everyone willing to join in. She took great pride in researching and preserving her family’s genealogy and had a deep appreciation for both nature and family. Rita especially loved spending long summer days at the lake cabin, where she created countless cherished memories with family and friends. A woman of many gifts, she held a special place in the hearts of many in her community as a talented seamstress—always ready to help others by altering and repairing clothing. She delighted in making dresses for her daughters and creating costumes for family and friends, sharing her love and creativity through every stitch.

Rita is lovingly remembered by her children: Jacqueline Jackson from Huntley, IL; Mary (Wayne) DeBlieck from Granite Falls, MN; John (Jana) Anderson from Eden Prairie, MN; and Anne (Don) Steffen from Granite Falls, MN. She had 9 grandchildren: Jacob (Shara) Jackson, Jennessa (Brandon) Watson, Jaina Jackson, Zachary (Jenessa) Blomme, Braden Blomme, Katelyn Anderson, Lucas Anderson, Paige (Dalton) Frick, and Alli Steffen, and 3 great grandchildren: Evelyn Jackson, Henrik Blomme, and Elijah Blomme.

Rita is preceded in death by her beloved husband Jack, her parents, and her siblings: Mary Holzer, Beatrice Radzak, Agnes Bradish, Bernadette Radzak, Irene Rust, Teresa Hanson, Martha Seppi, John Kasowski, Frank Kasowski, and infant brother Martin.

Rita was a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Her faith in Jesus Christ guided her life and her service to others. She will be greatly missed.