Rita St. Onge

Rita Jerien St. Onge died on Thursday, September 9, 2010 in Austin, Texas where she has lived for the past 8 years. She was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on June 5, 1920. Rita was third of eight children, one of two girls, whose parents were Frank and Elizabeth (Bess) Boese of St. Cloud, MN. Rita spent fondly remembered summers of her late teenage and early twenties working as waitress, a singer, and a dressing as a Native American Princess to greet guests, in Glacier Nation Park, as they came off the Great Northern Railroad.

She graduated from Cathedral High School in 1938, and after attended the College of St. Benedict, in St. Joseph, MN. She did her part to help with the war effort after college until the end of the war. Rita went to high school with her lifetime love, Homer Joseph St. Onge; they were engaged on February 14th 1945. Rita became Mrs. Homer St. Onge on May 14th 1946, and they were happily married for 55 years until Homer passed away, on June 1st 2001.

Rita spent her married years raising eleven children. Being a military wife, Rita had the opportunity to live in several places including: Aberdeen, SD, Greenville, SC, Albany, NY, Livermore, CA, Fumigawa and Tokyo, Japan, Anaheim, CA, and when Homer retired from the military they moved back to St. Cloud, MN. The couple moved to Lubbock, TX, in 1977, due to a work transfer. Rita and Homer traveled the world extensively and saw much of the world throughout their married life.

One of Rita’s fondest travel memories was the time she spent living in Japan. She often regaled her grandchildren with stories of sumo wrestlers and Japanese traditions she learned in the three and a half years she spent there. She also took Chinese cooking classes from the Benedictine Sisters of Peking and flower arranging classes while in Japan. Rita had a great Irish wit, and those who survive her will always remember to raise a toast to her on St. Patrick’s Day. Throughout her life she took great joy in sharing her Irish heritage and traditions with family and friends.

Rita was a lifelong gardening enthusiast. She kept beautiful rose and various other gardens. Throughout her life she participated in many volunteer programs: she was a Cub Scout leader, a Eucharistic minister, and she worked with family services at the former Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, TX. She also served on various church committees. Rita and Homer shared a life of love, family, sacrifice, and service to others. Their example will always be cherished and honored by their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren by whom they will be sorely missed.

Rita’s surviving children include: Homer of Weatherford, OK, Elizabeth of Weatherford, Ok, Markie (Jim) of El Paso, TX, Thomas (Rita) of Bellingham, WA, Robert (Marilyn) of Scituate, MA, Isabelle of Taos, NM, Tracy (Ethan) of Bridgton, ME, Anita of Corpus Christi, TX, Margaret of Rockport, TX, Julie (Robert) of Lakeway, TX, Richard (Marie) of Round Rock, TX, one brother Frank Joseph (Dorothy) of Duluth, MN, and numerous nieces and nephews who all loved and treasured her.

Her grandchildren include: Andrew, Nicholas (Bethany), Jerien (Nicholas), Micah, Katie, Luke, Rita, Nora, Christina, Justin, Dane, Patrice, Zachary, Jordan, Arthur (Rachel), Isaac, Theodore, Keegan, Chelsea, Addison, Cassandra, Jonathan, Quentin, Erin, Alexander, Matthew, Erica, Jaime, Nicole, and Homer. Her great grandchildren include: Brandon, Riley, Napisstaki, Jameson, Nathan, Brandon, Marissa and Sophia.

The family wishes to extend our gratitude and love to the staff of Vista Oaks Assisted Living Home where Mother lived for the past eight years. The Lord sent you to us to help with Mother’s care and we will never forget the warmth and love you gave to her and the family.

We love you Mom and know you are home safely with Dad and family. Face Tag…..