Rita L. Grams

Rita L. Grams

Rita L. Grams, 84, of Brownsville, MN passed away peacefully Tues. Feb. 11, 2014 at Bethany Riverside Care Center. She was born March 27, 1929 at home in the Town of Washington, WI to William and Marie (Schmitz) Semke. She met her future husband Robert Grams at the Avalon Ballroom. They were married at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. They moved to Brownsville, MN in 1951. Rita helped out on the family orchard. Together with her husband, they started the Riverview A&W Root Beer Stand in Brownsville until selling in 1976. She continued to help her husband with his excavating business and the family farm. Later she joined the staff of the La Crescent Healthcare Center, retiring as the head cook. Rita was a long time member of St. Patrick’s Parish in Brownsville and was active at the YWCA and volunteered at St. Francis Hospital.

She is survived by her sons Stanley and John Grams, grandchildren Stephanie, Jessica, Aaron, Caleb, Marissa, Emma, Kate, Will, and Elizabeth; 10 great-grandchildren. Rita is also survived by her sister Kathleen (Robert) Graf-Ideker. Rita was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Luella and Lucy, her husband Robert; sons Bill and Randy Grams, and daughter-in-law Linda Grams.

A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday Feb. 15, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Brownsville, Rev. Matt Fasnach will officiate with burial to follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass.

Memorials are requested to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.