Oklee - Rita Burthwick, 42, died on Monday, January 26, 1998 at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls.
Mass of Christian burial was held on Friday, January 30 at 2 p.m. at St. Frances Xavier Catholic Church in Oklee with Father Joe Richards officiating. Casketbearers were Charlie Johnson, Harvey Delage, Dick Delage, Leonard Rahier, Curtis Burthwick and Terry Burthwick. Burial was held at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery at Brooks. The Petterson Funeral Home of Red Lake Falls was in charge of the arrangements.
Rita Louise Pearson was born on March 17, 1955 in Red Lake Falls, the daughter of Noel and Frances (Schmidt) Pearson. She was raised in Red Lake Falls and attended St. Joseph's Grade School. She graduated from Lafayette High School in 1973.
On July 17, 1976 Rita was united in marriage to George Burthwick at Oklee. The couple lived in Oklee. She entered Hillcrest Nursing Home in Red Lake Falls in September due to cancer.
She was a member of St. Frances Xavier Catholic Church and the ladies' guild. She also helped with the Oklee Ambulance and Fire Department.
Rita is survived by her husband, George of Oklee; three children, John, Daniel and Tracy Burthwick, all of Oklee; parents, Noel and Frances Pearson of Red Lake Falls; one sister, Bonnie (Danny) Geselka of Angus; one brother, Gary (Julie) Peason of Warroad; and several nieces and nephews.