NORITA HOLMSTROM

Norita “Rita” Joyce Holmstrom, of Mora, passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at GracePointe Crossing in Cambridge, surrounded by family. She was 90 years old. 

Norita Joyce Butler was born on July 17, 1935, in Winnebago, Minnesota, in a farmhouse originally homesteaded by her great-grandfather in 1856. She attended the Basey one-room country schoolhouse through seventh grade and graduated from Huntley High School in 1954. She later attended West Mar College in Le Mars, Iowa, for one year.

Throughout her life, Rita worked many jobs, including summers at a canning factory during high school. One of her favorite roles was serving as an aide at Shriners Children's Hospital. In 1958, while working at Calwell Press in Minneapolis, she met Ruth, Don’s sister, who introduced her to Don. Rita and Don were married on April 2, 1960. In 1970, they returned to Don’s farm, where they worked side by side—putting up hay, milking cows, and managing all the responsibilities of farm life—while raising their four children: Dan, Jeanette, April, and Yvonne.

In 1967, Rita accepted Jesus as her Savior and became a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church, where she found encouragement and fellowship. She served as treasurer for member care and remained active in the church community.

Later in life, Rita worked for Kanabec Public Health for 14 years, retiring at age 65 in 2000. She continued serving others as coordinator for Meals on Wheels and stayed involved in her community through The Villages sing-alongs and the Commission on Aging until its closure in 2010.

Rita enjoyed many hobbies, including years of bowling, trips to Branson, Missouri, for what she called “good music,” puzzles, crosswords, word searches, and playing cards. She was a talented cook and baker, especially known for her flatbread—a task she loved even more when Don helped. Above all, Rita had a strong faith and cherished her family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and will be deeply missed.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Elizabeth (Chafee) Butler; her husband, Donald; sisters Mildred, Joan, and Maxine; and brothers Vernon and Jim.

She is survived by her children Daniel (Julie), Jeanette, April (Darrin) Lange, and Yvonne (Herb) Johnson; five grandchildren, Brandi, Derek, Jesse (Stacy), Aaron, Karissa (Wil); nine great-grandchildren—Chase, Dani, Devin (Lily), Rylan, Kasen, Braxton, Avery, Dylan, and Gracelynn; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mora.  

Memorial Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service at the church.  

Inurnment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Mora.

 A luncheon will follow the services.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of NORITA HOLMSTROM, please visit our floral store.