Rita Stoner

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Rita J. Stoner, 81, of Richfield, MN and formerly of Orient, SD passed away Monday, July 21, 2025, at her home in Richfield, MN, shortly after heart surgery.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Richfield, Minnesota on August 2, 2025, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at the VFW Post 5555, 6715 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield, MN  55423.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 9, 2025, at the United Church of Faulkton with Pastor Bennett Clough presiding. Burial will follow in Prairie View Cemetery, Orient.  

Rita Joanne Stoner was born June 2, 1944, in Aberdeen, SD to Wayne and Miriam (Slater) Stoner. She grew up on the family farm near Orient, SD and went to school in Orient and Faulkton, SD. Rita showed championship sheep at 4-H county and state fairs. She loved dancing with her dad. Rita’s adventurous spirit took her to Dakota Wesleyan College in Mitchell, SD majoring in Business Administration and went to Minneapolis to start her career with Northwest Orient Airlines, which later merged with Delta. She worked there for forty years until her retirement in September 2006 at age 62.

Rita’s most loved hobby was amateur ballroom dancing with Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Minneapolis/St. Paul. She competed for 37 years wearing beautiful dresses and earning many trophies and medals. Her accessories were always coordinated with the gown she was wearing.

Family was very important to Rita. Having airline benefits, she flew or drove to visit siblings, families and friends often and took her parents on several trips. She never missed sending cards and letters to siblings, in-laws, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and friends; cards usually arrived early! Rita enjoyed her wildflower garden in her yard and loved going to the Farmer’s Markets for fresh produce and food.

When visiting family, she loved attending nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews’ activities: athletics, dance, motorcycle-racing, cheerleading, band, boy scouts, holidays, birthdays, graduations and weddings. Rita was always eager to help with all the various celebrations. She loved pet sitting: dogs, cats, and fish for friends.

After retirement she worked part time for fun at the Mall of America. That is when she sold her home in Bloomington and moved to Lake Shore Condominiums in Richfield, MN. Rita was the 5th Floor Representative, so she left brochures, newsletters and cards at the residents’ doors.  She was the head of the “Lunch Outings” committee where she made reservations at different restaurants and lined up rides monthly.  Rita was also involved in the Owls fraternal organization, the IAMAW Airline Local 1833 Retired Members Social Club, both the Bloomington Lutheran Church and the Hillcrest United Methodist Church.

Rita’s surviving family includes sisters: Karla (David) Riley of  Palm Bay, FL,  Renee (Mark) Gauer of Marshall, MN,  Lanette Gimbel of Fort Morgan, Co,  Glenna (David) Martinmaas of Miller, SD, and Tara Slater (David Hudspeth) of Thornton, CO; brother, Jay (Vicki) of Eagle, ID; nieces and nephews: Bryan Riley, Kevin Riley, Matthew Gauer, Kristen Maeyaert, Timothy Gauer, Bradley Stoner, Brenda Stoner, Bridget Fratto, Todd Gimbel, John Gimbel, Adam Gimbel, Audra Sparks, Kimberly Martinmaas, Derrick Lewis, and Deidra Bonetti; and 30 great nieces and nephews. Rita also had two “adopted” grandchildren, Kathleen and Scott, children of her neighbors of 32 years, Beth and Mike Cameron.  She always referred to them as her grandchildren.          

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Miriam Stoner; brother, Jesse Stoner and infant brother, Carl Stoner.  

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Rita’s arrangements.