Rita Barthell

Rita Barthell, 87, Two Harbors, died Friday, October 8, 2010 in the Lake View Memorial Hospital. She was born August 18, 1923 in La Crosse, Wisconsin to Robert and Roberta Kreibich, grew up in St Cloud and graduated from St Cloud Tech High School. She lived in Aitkin for many years where she owned and operated Radke Jewelry with her husband Walter Radke. After Walter's death she married Walter Barthell in 1988 and had made her home in Two Harbors since that time. Rita was a member of the Lions Club while in Aitkin and Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Two Harbors. She enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing games, dancing, antique collecting, and traveling. Rita was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, Walter Radke in 1979 and Walter Barthell in April of this year. She is survived by step-children, JoAnn (Stephen) LeClair of Burnsville, Conley (Barb) Barthell of Austin, TX, and Ron (Nancy) Barthell of Bloomington; step-grandchildren, Lon (Christine) LeClair, Michael (Elizabeth) LeClair, Christine (Jon) Dahl, Kasey (Scott) Rasmussen, Jamie (Clint) Howard, Daniel and Sarah Barthell, and Elizabeth and Michael Bernhagen; ten step-great-grandchildren; brothers, David and Donald Kreibich, and several nieces and nephews. Rita's family would like to thank the staff of Sunrise Home and previously, Lake View Home for the care they gave Rita. Visitation will be from 10 AM until the 11 AM Mass of Christian Burial Thursday October 14, 2010 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Two Harbors. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery, Two Harbors.