Rita Ann Erdmann

Rita Ann Erdmann (Haukos) was born October 22, 1917, in St. Leo, Minnesota, to Mark and Elizabeth (Hentges) Kockelman. She was baptized in St. Leo and confirmed in Kranzburg, South Dakota in the Catholic Faith. In 1931, she moved with her family to Graceville, Minnesota and then to Madison, Minnesota where she lived until 1938 when she married Ordeman Haukos. On December 7, 1941, Rita and Ordy moved to Clontarf, Minnesota and had five children, two of whom died in infancy. In 1978, Rita married Leo Erdmann, who passed away a year later in 1979. Rita lived in Clontarf for 60 years until she moved to Westwood Manor in Benson in 2001. Rita worked at Baumgarten’s Produce in Clontarf for 11 years and then at Fingerhut in Benson for 11 years. Rita was a member of St. Malachy’s Catholic Church Parish where she was active in the ladies group, a member of the Benson Senior Citizens, the St. Malachy’s Sodality Club, and a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Rita had a passion for her family and loved being surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Rita loved crocheting, embroidering, oil painting (which she was very good at!), listening to music, and reading. Rita’s quiet, kind, caring demeanor is an attribute that many from the area will always remember.

She was called from this life on Friday afternoon, June 9, 2017, at the Meadow Lane Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Benson. She attained the age of 99 years, 7 months, and 18 days.

Rita is survived by her daughters: Jeanette Gosson of Benson and Marlene Berens of Benson; step-children: Bob Erdmann of Waite Park, John Erdmann of Little Falls, and Elaine Unzen of Madison; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ordy Haukos; husband, Leo Erdmann; sons, Kenneth Haukos and David Haukos; daughter, Marlys Haukos; granddaughter, Anita Berens; great-grandson, Jay Collins; son-in-law, James Gosson; step-daughter, Joanne Garrahy; parents, Mark and Elizabeth Kockelman; and siblings: Clarence Kockelman, Lorraine Erdmann, Esther Hallaway, Judy Mork, Alice Moya, and Marie Fuerstenau. Blessed be her memory.