Rita Verly

Mass of Christian Burial for Rita Verly, 70, of Marshall, will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall.  Visitation will be Friday, May 17, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at the church.  Visitation will continue on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Marshall.  Interment will follow the service at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall.

Rita passed peacefully and surrounded by her family, on Sunday, May 12th, 2024, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. 

Rita Loretta (Dieken) Verly was born on March 4, 1954, in Marshall, MN to Francis and Harriet Dieken. She attended Holy Redeemer School through 8^th grade and graduated from Cottonwood High School in 1972. On December 11, 1976, she married the love of her life, Ed Verly, at St. Clotilde Catholic Church in Green Valley, MN. Together they made a beautiful life on their farm, just south of Marshall. They were blessed with two children, Shannon and Brad. Rita dedicated her life to her family and always led with love, compassion and faith. 

Rita’s children and grandchildren were the light of her world and she was the light of theirs. Grandma Rita made everything extra special and was a daily presence in their lives. She never missed an opportunity to be with family and she poured her heart into celebrating every occasion to the fullest. She is known for her legendary applesauce, tomato soup and strawberry rhubarb pie. The fall harvest season was balanced between canning and baking sweet treats for Ed in the field. Rita loved sunny afternoons on the patio laughing with her “Fristers,” playing “Fast Track” with Ed and enjoying a bonfire with her grandkids. She loved her adventures with the Green Valley Kaperettes and her monthly lunch with girlfriends. Rita was the life of the party. She was a friend to everyone. 

Rita worked at Schwan’s for 40 years, where she took great pride in her work and cherished the many friends she made during her career. She loved to volunteer at Holy Redeemer School during her children’s grade school years and continued that tradition with her grandchildren. She had a passion for the Meals on Wheels program and was always the first to arrive when friends or family were in need. Rita had a tender, generous, and servant heart.   

Ed and Rita loved to travel and made new friends wherever they went. They cherished winters in Mexico, Arizona, and Florida. They took many trips over the years, including Hawaii, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. Rita also loved to garden and golf, and she kept the farm blooming with beauty. Most of all, she loved her family and friends – and she made sure they always felt that love. 

She is lovingly remembered by her husband Ed Verly, daughter Shannon (Nick) Wiger and their children Owen, Jack and Anne of Sartell, MN, along with son Brad (Kirsten) Verly and their children Will, Ella and James of Marshall, MN; brothers and sisters, Harold (Lyn) Dieken, Arlene (Dan) Markell, Ralph (Jenny) Dieken and Mary (Wayne) Louwagie all of Marshall, MN. Rita also treasured her relationship with the Verly family and her many cousins, nieces, and nephews.   

She is welcomed into heaven by her father and mother, Francis and Harriet Dieken, along with her father and mother-in-law, Gerry and Ann Verly. Rita made the world a better place. Her legacy of love will be cherished forever. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Holy Redeemer School.