Rita Petrowitz, age 98, of Fingal, ND, passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, December 26, 2019, surrounded by her loving family.  A funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 at 10:30am in Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fingal. Visitation and prayer service canceled due to the weather.

Rita Agnes Prody was born in Breckenridge, MN, on March 31, 1921. She grew up in Kent, MN, and in 1945 married Lawrence Petrowitz. They made their home in Fingal, ND, where they raised their nine children, while being very involved in all of their children’s activities. Lawrence built and together they operated Pete’s Bar for 32 years and Fingal Hardware for 10 years.

Rita was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, St. Anne’s Christian Mothers and the American Legion Auxiliary. 

She loved her Catholic faith and family above all else. She enjoyed family gatherings, traveling with her family, playing cards, working jigsaw and crossword puzzles, baking, watching TV, sitting out in the sun in her patio, and music; she had a beautiful voice. 

Rita is survived by her 9 children, Janice (Roger) Fenstad, Jim Petrowitz, Susan (Ken) Kohler, Kathy Aarseth, Shari (Eldon) Maasjo, Carol Petrowitz, Mary Annette (Glenn) Koch, Joyce Bowman, Cynthia (Curtis) Leininger; 25 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Genevieve Dodson and Joan Rocha.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence (Pete), granddaughter Amanda Leininger, son-in-law Charlie Bowman, and 9 siblings. 

Lerud Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City, ND is assisting Rita’s family with arrangements.  An online guestbook and tribute page can be found at www.lerudschuldt.com