Rita Stockmo

OBITUARY: Rita J. Stockmo Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Rita J. Stockmo will be at 1PM on Wednesday, November 8, 2006, at St. Paul?s Catholic Church in Zumbrota with Father Timothy Dolan officiating. Music will be provided by Kristen Donovan, organist, and Jesse Steberg, soloist. Honorary casketbearers will be Tim Swarthout, Scott Swarthout, Darren Nelson, Larry McBroom, Rex Quam and John Shelsted. Burial will follow in the Wanamingo Lutheran Cemetery, Wanamingo, MN. Memorials may be given to the American Cancer Society or to Seasons Hospice in Rochester, MN. Rita died, at the age of 53, on Saturday, November 4, 2006, at Seasons Hospice in Rochester following an 8 year battle with cancer. She was born Rita Joan Swarthout on March 24, 1953 in Rochester, MN to Charles and Flossie (Cornwell) Swarthout. She attended school in Wanamingo and was married to Jerry M. Stockmo, on June 21, 1969, in Zumbrota. Following their marriage, the couple lived at Fort Bragg, NC and Lawton, OK before returning to Wanamingo. Rita was employed by the Kenyon-Wanamingo Public Schools and later worked for Dr. Aug?s Dental Clinic. Jerry died on December 26, 1998. She was a member of St. Paul?s Catholic Church, St. Rose Circle, the Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support Group, and was involved in the Relay for Life. She enjoyed traveling with family and friends and she liked to walk. Rita is survived by her son, Todd Stockmo, and her daughter, Heather Stockmo, both of Rochester, MN; her father, Charles Swarthout, of Zumbrota, MN; three brothers: Steve (Laura) Swarthout, of Rochester, MN, Jeff (Cindy) Swarthout, of St. Cloud, MN, Greg (Wanda) Swarthout, of Zumbrota, MN; two sisters: Peggy (Ron) Stettler, of Riverside, CA, Mary (George) Hausermann, of Anchorage, AK; her sister-in-law, Judi Moore, of Tulsa, OK; special friend, Tom Shane of Zumbrota, MN. Her husband and her mother preceded her in death. Visitation will be from 5-8PM on Tuesday, November 7, 2006, at Mahn Family Funeral Home Larson Chapel, in Zumbrota and one hour before services at the church on Wednesday.