Rita Tessien

Rita Norman was born December 9, 1925, at 556 Bolton Road in the District of Blackburn, Lancashire, England. Her parents were George Norman, cotton weaver, and Alice Ann Pomfret Norman. Rita was baptized at Lower Darwin Congregational Church and confirmed at Blackburn Cathedral. She attended Lower Darwin Elementary and Blakley Moor Girls School, graduating with Honors. Rita studied Theater at Guest College. During the war, Rita worked at an ammunition factory and met Harold Widmer of the US Army Air Corp, who was stationed at Kirkam near Blackburn. At the end of the war, they were married and came to America in March of 1946. Rita and Harold had three children, Sharyn Lee, Michael John, and Rita Marie. Rita was an active community member. Her contributions included years of service to the Springfield Community Theater as President and actress extraordinaire. Rita was the narrator of the Springfield Nativity Pageant for its first five years. She served as President of the Minnesota Osteopathic Association Auxiliary and was co-owner of the Second Editions retail shop for five years. As a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Rita served as President of WELCA, President of Mary Magdalene Circle, Search Program Coordinator, and Vacation Bible School teacher. Rita's lovely singing voice contributed to worship services as choir member as well as special music soloist. Dr. R.M. Tessien married Rita on October 6, 1963. They had one son, Robert David. R.M. and Rita shared a love for country music and combined their musical talents in countless hours of enjoyment. They lived in their home on Van Dusen for more than 40 years until moving to St. John's Home. Rita wished to acknowledge her devotion to Jesus, her Savior. Also to share that her family is her first love, followed by her church community, and the theater. Rita Tessien died Thursday, May 19, 2011, at the Springfield Medical Center Hospital at the age of 85 years. She is survived by children- Patricia and Norbert Walter and family, James and Sandra Tessien and family, Mike and Alyce Widmer and family, Bob and wife Anne Tessien and family, and Sharon Ohlgren and family; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband Dr. R.M. Tessien in February of 2011; daughter Rita Marie; and granddauughter Nicole.