Rita Beyer

Published November 10, 2020 at 11:14 PM

Rita Eileen Beyer, age 94, peacefully passed on November 4th 2020, at The Olympia Nursing Care Center in Olympia, Washington

Rita was born at home on December 21, 1925 in Grand Forks, ND to Clarence P. and Helen Elizabeth (Nel) Adkins. Rita, known as “Red” (because of her red hair), was raised Catholic and attended St. Michael’s school. During WWII she worked in stock rooms at a couple different dime stores in downtown Grand Forks. Rita had teaching certificates in ceramics, and owned a ceramic business for about 20 years in her home.

Rita was married to Robert L. Bailey from 1946 to 1951. Rita later married Clifford H. Beyer on October 10, 1955 in East Grand Forks, MN. They lived in Grand Forks until 1962. They later moved to Minot where they lived until 1976, when they moved to Fargo. Rita moved to Eventide assisted living apartments in 2011, then moved to be near her daughters in 2017 in Yelm, WA.

Rita was an excellent and prolific seamstress, making many wedding and prom dresses for her family and neighborhood friends. Her passion was needle work, knitting many projects, including tiny doll sweaters. She crocheted numerous Afghans. Hand embroidery was her main hobby for the past several years, and made anything from quilts to hundreds of dish wipers. Seldom was she sitting without a project in her hands.

She had a great sense of humor, gave warm hugs, and loved all of her family very much.

Rita is survived by her children: Robert P. Bailey (Becky) Bemidji MN, Betty J. Markee (Chuck) Yelm WA, and Mark P. Beyer, Fargo ND, eight grandchildren: Michael, Paul, Dawn, Kara, Matthew, Randy, Danny and Chris, fifteen great grandchildren: Breanna, Conner, Alex, Neil, Ethan, Kacey, Brandon, Aidan, Devan, Alyssa, Erica, Calie, Hailee, Brooklyn, and Ben, and numerous Nieces and Nephews.

Rita is proceeded in death by her husband Clifford, parents Clarence and Nel Adkins (Murry), daughter Dianne M. Wieland, granddaughter Bonita L Widhalm, grandson Richard P. Markee, and siblings Philip Adkins, Patrick Adkins, Patricia Winters, Marie Rerick.

Our family would like to thank all the wonderful staff members and caregivers at Olympia Transitional Rehab and Nursing Home Center of Olympia WA. They took excellent care of “Grandma Rita” especially in this time of COVID-19. She knew the people who were with her cared about her until the end. Thank You! Service will be held early summer of 2021.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center, Fargo. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.boulgerfuneralhome.com.