Rita Matthews

Rita Louise (Tholl) Matthews, age 68, of Brainerd passed away peacefully on Friday, November 10, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, MN. Services for Rita will be held on Saturday, November 18th, at 10:30am at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, with Father Paul Strommer officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 17th from 5pm-7pm and one hour prior to services on Saturday. Private family interment.

Rita Louise Tholl was born to Janet L (Kasper) and Norbert P Tholl on January 24, 1949 in St Cloud, MN. She attended school in Staples and later earned a degree in floral design from Brainerd Vocational School. Rita married Robert Duane Matthews on August 28, 1965. They lived in Mora, MN until 1977 when they built their home in Brainerd, MN. Rita worked at area florists for several years before starting her own business, Tans Unlimited. Rita enjoyed being with her family, fishing, deer hunting, traveling the country extensively in their RV and spending winters in McAllen, TX. Rita loved to create beautiful flower gardens and enjoyed growing and canning vegetables. Rita was a fantastic cook. Sadly, she was widowed in 2014, five days before their 49th wedding anniversary. She missed Robert deeply and continued to live in Brainerd until her passing.

Rita will be remembered and missed forever by her daughters, Melissa (Scott) Swisher of St. Louis Park, MN and Rebecca Matthews of Ft. Worth, TX; grandson, Sam Swisher; sisters, Jean (Ed) Graham and Sharon Tholl (Bob Riebe); half-brothers, Dale, Doug and Kenny Grimsley; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Robert and her half-brother, Larry Grimsley.

Services entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel and Cremation service, 800-824-5051, www.brenny.com.