Rita M. Von Arx

Rita M. Von Arx, 92, of Hokah, Minn., passed away peacefully, with loved ones at her side in the early morning hours of Friday, June 29, 2018, at Valley View Nursing Home in Houston, Minn.

Mary "Rita" Bissen was born November 6, 1925 at St. Francis Hospital in La Crosse, Wis., to Nicholas and Sophie (Graf) Bissen of Brownsville, Minn.

At a young age, her aunt began calling her by her middle name, Rita, which stuck. Rita attended grade school at St. Patrick's Catholic School in Brownsville and spent her childhood on and near the banks of Mississippi River, which was just across the road from her house. Being the only girl, she grew up hunting and fishing with her Dad and brothers. After her father's death in 1941, Rita and her mother moved to Hokah, where she attended St. Peter's Catholic High School. Rita worked as a housekeeper for a short time, then went to work at Moen Photo in La Crosse, where she made life long friends.

On September 3, 1946, Rita married Walter Von Arx at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Hokah, Minn., and together they began their life on their small dairy farm in Busch Valley, rural La Crescent. When they moved to the farm, it was void of a house, so they renovated the chicken coop into a three-room house. There, they lived until their sixth child arrived, at which time they built a home. On the farm, Rita helped with outside chores, including bailing hay and milking cows. She always maintained a well-kept house and became proficient in butchering, canning, sewing, cooking and baking. She created and maintained pristine vegetable gardens, as well as a large raspberry garden, which all provided an abundance of fresh and canned food for her family. She always made wonderful meals for family, friends, out-of-town guests and deer hunters. In the '70's, Rita went to work picking apples for Old Hickory Orchard in La Crescent, continuing until Rita and Walt retired in 1982 and sold the farm, moving to Hokah. During retirement, they enjoyed vacations to Wyoming and Branson. Rita began taking classes in cake decorating and crafts. She bought a scroll saw and began making wooden miniatures which she sold at Hokah Handi-Crafts, a store she opened with her niece-in-law. After closing the storefront, Rita continued selling her wooden miniatures at craft shows throughout the tri-state area for many years, having cut out, sanded, stained and painted over 12,000 wooden miniatures. Rita also enjoyed her trips to Las Vegas with family and friends, as well as Friday lunches at the 'round table' in Hokah. She also spent several years doing home health care for several elderly ladies in the area. In her later years, she made beautiful, handmade greeting cards. Rita enjoyed playing practical jokes, board games, bingo and the card game, Moon, which she played a couple of days a week with close friends, up to just a few days before her death.

Rita is survived by nine children, Barbara (Ed) Kruse of Chicago, Ill., Diane (Greg) Anderson of Otsego, Minn., Duane Von Arx of Houston, Minn., Jerry Von Arx of Caledonia, Minn., Ron (Sharon) Von Arx, La Crescent, Minn., Nick Von Arx of La Crescent, Minn., Karen Smock of Hokah, Minn., Mary (Brad) Laabs of Detroit Lakes, Minn., and Linda von Arx of Houston, Minn.; 16 grandchildren, Jeph (Cherie) BurroughsScanlon, Dan (Debbie) Scanlon, Skeeter (Stacy) Scanlon, Jeramie (Paula) Von Arx, Scott (Sheila) von Arx, Greg (Crystal) Von Arx, Jake (Sarah) Laabs, Josh (Jenna) Laabs, Jeny (Adam) Blom, Kilby Ivers, Alicia Von Arx, Emma (Jon) Von Arx, Lucas Von Arx, Landen Von Arx, Chad Von Arx, Jack Von Arx, 24 great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Doris Bissen of Caledonia, Minn., Dolores Benz of Portland, Ore., Frannie Von Arx of Houston, Minn., and Teddy Von Arx of Madison, Wis. Also surviving are many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Walter in 1988; her first son, Gregory, in 1949; her brothers Raymond (Bernetta) Bissen, Robert (Lillian) Bissen, Joseph Bissen, Warren (Florence) Bissen, Gene Bissen; her sister Catherine Bissen; brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws Alfred & Evelyn Von Arx, Otto & Marge Von Arx, Paul & Betty Von Arx, Don & Bernice Cavanaugh, Les & Marguerite Sheehan, George & Liz Von Arx, Jacob & Jean von Arx, Bill & Helen Hoskins, Joe & Phyllis Von Arx, Donald Benz, Francis Von Arx, Rita & Bill Hayes and William Von Arx.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 3, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Hokah, MN. The Reverend Pratap Reddy Salibindla will officiate. Internment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Hokah. Friends may call on the family at the church on Monday evening from 4 until 7 p.m. with a prayer service being held at 6:40 p.m. Visitation will also be held Tuesday morning from 9:30 a.m. until the time of Mass.

Special thanks to the caring staff at Valley View Healthcare and Dr. Hammell and his staff.

Memorials are preferred to St. Peter's Church - Window Fund and designated to renovate the Susan Wermiskershen window.