Rita Ann Christoffel

Rita Ann Christoffel (Hillesheim) of Winston-Salem, NC, passed away suddenly on February 23, 2026, at the age of 79. She was born on May 15, 1946, to Roman and Angela Hillesheim in Sleepy Eye, MN. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School. She married Thomas Christoffel in 1965, and together they raised four daughters and shared 46 wonderful years.

A friend to everyone she met, her family was never surprised when they had to linger at the door of a restaurant or grocery store while she finished speaking with a person who was only moments ago a stranger. She was full of spirit, fun-loving, and known especially for her contagious laugh. She was always aware of what others needed, being sure to check on family and friends, send a card, or remember a birthday. She could always be counted on to help when help was needed, no matter how taxing the job. She was never afraid of hard work and insisted on doing every job the right way. She was a nurturer of people as well as the flowers and other plants in her garden.

Nothing was more important to Rita than family; she drew great joy from doting on her five grandchildren, especially. She loved watching their sports games in person or online, hearing about their lives, spending time speaking and playing with them, and she was fiercely proud of them all--although she worked many jobs throughout her life, the job she was proudest of was being Mimi. She lived many places—Minnesota, Maryland, Arizona, California, Massachusetts, and North Carolina—and traveled widely with special affection for Ireland and Italy, but even still she remained a Minnesota farm girl at heart.

She is survived by her second husband, Ken Ekstrand; four daughters, Ann Marie (Jon) Sidman of Plymouth, MA and daughter Gabbie; Amy Christoffel of Maynard, MA; Angela (Alex) Christoffel and daughters Alexa and Aida; Alana (Michael) Adam of Winston-Salem, NC and their children Audrey and Brady; five sisters, Kate (Chuck) Krzmarzick of Sleepy Eye, MN; Marlene Hillesheim of Mesa, AZ; Jeannie (Tom) Guldager of Denver, NC; Annette (Gary) Braun of Sleepy Eye; Lori (Dan) Braun of Sleepy Eye; six brothers, Paul (Laurie) Hillesheim of Sleepy Eye; Richard (Jill) Hillesheim of Mankato, MN; John Hillesheim of Springfield, MN; Phil Hillesheim of Yuma, AZ; Robert Hillesheim of Sleepy Eye; Roman Hillesheim, Jr., of Moss Point, MS; brothers-and-sisters-in-law, Doug Pelzel of Sleepy Eye; Rosie (Michael) Mathis of Beaumont, TX; John (Joan) Christoffel of Coon Rapids, MN; James Christoffel of Woodbury, MN; and Jean Christoffel of Minneapolis, MN; as well as her dear friend of over fifty years Nugget (Bob) Fields of Kasson, MN; and her stepson Eric (Danny) Ekstrand of Winston-Salem.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband Thomas Christoffel; her parents and brother Jerome Hillesheim; parents-in-law, Tom and Betty Christoffel; and sister-in-law Mary Christoffel. A funeral mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4820 Kinnamon Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, on March 5, 2026, at 11 AM, followed by a brief reception.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to High Spirit East Community, an inclusive living community for adults with intellectual, physical, and mental disabilities <highspiriteast.org> or the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.