Rita Bloom, 73, rural Ryder, died Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at Trinity Hospital in Minot. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 10:30 am at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Garrison. A rosary will be said on Friday beginning at 5:00 pm at the church. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Minot at 2:00 pm.
Visitation will be held on Friday from 3 to 5 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church.
Rita Pamela Schaner was born February 4, 1945 in Bismarck, ND, to Fred and Rose (Gaukler) Schaner, the youngest of 4 children. Her family lived on a farm at Fort Rice near Solen, ND. When she was 2 years old her family moved to Mandan, ND where she attended St. Joseph Catholic School until 8th grade. Her high school years were spent at Mandan High School, graduating in May of 1964. Following high school, Rita attended Dickinson State College and received her teaching degree in 1968. She began her teaching career in Froid, MT, where she spent 3 years. It was at this time that her love for reading moved her to pursue a different direction in teaching. She attended Northern State and got her endorsement as a Title 1 reading instructor and started her first job in that field in New England, ND. Rita was in New England for 1 year before moving to Garrison, ND where she began teaching at St. Nicholas Catholic School.
While living in Garrison, Rita met the love of her life, Ronald Bloom. Their love for each other was clear and true and they were married at St. Joseph's Catholic Church on August 1, 1975. From this marriage they had 2 children, Terry and Roxann. Rita put her teaching career on hold to raise her children and help Ronald with the family farm and milk cow business. While her children were growing up, she took an active part as a 4H leader with the Flickertail Farmers and loved helping her children with their 4H projects. She also taught Farmer's Union classes for 35 years in McLean County.
Once her children were older, Rita resumed her teaching career in the 3rd grade at the White Shield School for several years. She then continued her love for teaching subbing for the schools in Max, Parshall, and Turtle Lake until January of 2018. Rita loved all the students that she came in contact with throughout the years and truly cared for each and every one of them.
Beside her love of children and teaching, Rita enjoyed taking care of her plants and quilting. She made baby quilts for many family and friends and was very proud to be able to finish her last quilt for her daughter-in-law's sister. Rita also enjoyed square dancing, reading books, and especially spending time with her grandson, Shawn Kastrow. In her later years she was really involved with the Garrison Lamplighters and McLean County Farmer's Union Board of Director's. She thoroughly enjoyed attending the state convention and the national fly in's to Washington, D.C.
Rita is survived by her loving husband, Ronald Bloom; son, Terry (Amanda) Bloom; daughter, Roxann Bloom; grandson, Shawn Kastrow; brother-in-law, Gene (Shirley) Bloom; brother-in-law, Bob (Shirley) Mischel; 2 sisters-in-law, Betty (Larry) Schaner and Betty (Dennis) Schaner; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sister, Gretchen, brothers, Larry and Dennis, and her mother and father-in-law, Vern and Alice Bloom.
To sign the online register go to www.garrisonthompson.com