My thoughts and prayers are with Rita's family. She was a sweet lady and will be missed dearly.

I have too many memories to list, and for me it is an impossibility to be brief, especially when it comes to Aunt Rita.  Aunt Rita and Uncle Jeff were like a third set of Grandparents for me.  They would come to our home in Robbinsdale, Minnesota to visit, and I loved when they would stay for several days, and always hated to see them go.  It is now evident to me that it was because I was very spoiled by how much attention they paid me, and that became even more apparent when my sisters were away at college, because it was then that I essentially had them all to myself.  I used to sit and listen to Aunt Rita's accounts of all the marvelous trips she and Uncle Jeff made.  It is now that I hope to use them both as role model of how I want to live when I reach retirement.
Some of many fond memories are of remembering that Aunt Rita's mind was as sharp as the day was long.  At Christmas time, Aunt Rita would send gifts to my three sisters Ann, Lisa, Joan and I.  As we sat around the Christmas tree, we would wait to open the gifts from her last, because we came to know that the gift she had managed to wrap and send our way was always something to look forward to.  I would marvel at how from an infrequent and brief conversation she would have with each of us while on a visit, would be reflected back to us in that Christmas gift.  My sisters and I would sit in amazement that she remembered what we liked or what we were interested in, and we would ask our Mom, did you tell her what to get us, and she would say simply smile, shake her head, and say “no”.    I loved to see my Mom's face light up when the phone would ring on a holiday and, as she ran to answer the phone, we could her hear her say in happy anticipation, “I bet that is your Aunt Rita calling on the phone”.  We would then sit in total silence, and wait for the usual, “Hi Aunt Rita…” and then smile at each other knowing that yet again another favorite moment for our Mom was made because like clockwork on a just about every holiday, Aunt Rita called to say hello.  
I greatly enjoyed the visits I got to make to her home in Sequim.  I remember how she was willing to host my wife Terry and I back in 1999.  We had come out on a trip to see Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria, and then came across the Puget Sound to stay at her home for four days.  It was great to go there with not a thing planned, knowing that she would simply suggest where and what you could and should take in, and send you on your way.  It was also just as nice at times though to just sit in her home and visit, and look at Hurricane Ridge out her living room window.     
It is also in Sequim that I have my fondest memory of Aunt Rita.   I used to hear my Mom recount several times while talking to Aunt Rita on the phone of how she had gone out as usual and met Uncle Jeff with a refreshment on the seventh hole of his almost daily golf game.  I had a picture in my head of what it looked like as he approached the back of their home.  It was while out on my first trip to her home back in 1988 that what I had imagined became reality.  I was excited because at the time of the trip I was old enough, and had learned to play golf well enough to ask to play a game of golf with Uncle Jeff.  My Dad, Uncle Jeff, and I made a three-some.  It was just like I had imagined it would be when I conjured up a picture of what took place in my head many times before.  Here on that summer day, Uncle Jeff showing extreme patience as he always did with me, while we slowly but surely approached their home on the seventh hole as we played, and like clockwork, out came Aunt Rita, dressed nicely as she always was, and she was assisted this time by my Mom in bringing out refreshments. 
It is this memory, that also helps me now, when I picture Aunt Rita in Heaven.  I picture Uncle Jeff playing a game a golf, and he has been waiting for a while now on the seventh hole at the back of their house in Sequim for Aunt Rita to come home, which she now has, and his wait is over, because she is now exiting their home with a refreshment, and he leans back to stretch a little, removes his hat to wipe the sweat off his brow, takes a look at Hurricane Ridge, then a look at all the beautiful Rhododendron bushes that are in full bloom, then at her, hands back the glass, puts his hat on again, refocuses on his game, and tells her he'll be home soon… 
Someday my Wife and I will take our three kids out to see Rialto Beach, the Hoh Rainforest, Marymere Falls, Hurricane Ridge, and drive down and point out the house on Medsker Road.  I'll then try to get my kids to try a ground Geoduck patty like I did at The Three Crabs Restaurant, and then retrace the steps down to the Dungeness Spit.  I'll tell my family all about Aunt Rita while we wait for the tide to go out, so we can walk out to go see the light house…
Even though I know she earned her way to Heaven…I'm going to look for her while I'm out there in and around Sequim, because I'm convinced that is where I will find her….maybe she'll offer me a refreshment.  I love you, Aunt Rita.

We are so sorry to hear of Aunt Rita's passing.  My family and I have many wonderful memories of her.  I would like to share a couple. As a little girl I remember spending time on Park Point in Duluth picnicking and after Aunt Rita had waded into the lake with my sisters and I we were able to coax mom into the "warm" waters of Lake Superior and the peels of laughter that followed having played our little trick, which of course would not have worked if it hadn't been for Aunt Rita's part. Also a  few years ago Steve, the boys and I had traveled out to Washington to visit Aunt Rita during spring break and while spending time with her, she pleasantly endured a choral concert from Nicholas and Michael with accompaniment by Joseph on the okarina.  We will miss her very much she was such a wonderful aunt and "gram" to the boys. Our love to you. Steve, Ann, Nicholas, Joseph, and Michael Rorem

Mary, Mel and Frank, 
I am sorry for the loss of your beautiful mother. I remember visiting Aunt Rita and Uncle Jeff at their house in Duluth. Always welcoming and fun. We loved playing in the big yard with the Birch tree in the front. -Susan Krezowski de Hoog

What wonderful childhood memories you've given me. Such a perfect role model - the definition of elegance and refinement; always pleasant, always kind. How blessed I am to have known you.  With profound sadness - Sondra

You will always live in our hearts, Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and Friends of Rita.

You were truly a kind and loving mother. You were always there when I needed you. Sorry you had to suffer at the end. I am sure you are at peace now. Your loving son Millard. Rest in peace MOM.

OBITUARY

Rita Millard Johnson

30 April, 1916 – 17 February, 2013

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