Rita Bertrand

Rita E. Bertrand, 89, of Sleepy Eye, MN died on Monday, December 22, 2008 at Divine Providence Community Home in Sleepy Eye, MN There will be a Catholic Aid Rosary at 9am, Monday at Divine. Rita was born on October 9, 1919 in Sleepy Eye, MN the daughter of Aloysius Magdalen (Steffen) Bertrand. She graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1936 and then earned a BA degree from the College of St. Teresa in Winona, MN in 1940. Rita was employed by the State of Minnesota working for several state departments in St. Paul for more than 33 years. She was an accountant in the Education Department, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Administration, Business Research and Development and was also an assistant to the clerk of court in the Minnesota Supreme Court. When she retired she returned to Sleepy Eye in 1974, she later moved to Lake Villa Apartments where she lived for the last 15 years. Rita was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, a member and officer of the Catholic Aid Association, member of the VFW, American Legion and Divine Providence Auxiliary's. Survivors include her sister-in-law, Ruth Bertrand of Sleepy Eye, several nieces, nephews and great - nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Fr. Leonard, Fr. Aloysius, Cornelius and James, sisters, Elizabeth, Clara, Marcella, Mildred and Margaret, sister-in-law Lucille Bertrand, nephew, James Bertrand and two nieces in infancy.