Rita Marie (Seitz) Rosenthal passed away peacefully on November 2, 2026, at the remarkable age of 102, surrounded by the love of the large and vibrant family she built over a lifetime.
Born on October 13, 1924, in Freeport, Minnesota, Rita was the youngest of nine children born to Michael and Mary (Welle) Seitz. She grew up just blocks from Sacred Heart Church where she attended school through 8th grade. Two of her brothers became priests (Fr. Cyprian Seitz and Fr. Al Seitz) who were connected to the family by presiding over many weddings and baptisms. Her home was also close to the local Seitz & Kraker Store her father co-owned. Rita spent her early years rooted in faith, community, and family.
In 1940, Rita moved to St. Paul, living with her sister Marie Allen to help with her family and attended St. Agnes High School. Rita was active in school life, helping to bring their uniforms to fruition and being crowned the school’s very first homecoming queen. She proudly graduated as part of St. Agnes’s historic inaugural class in 1942. During World War II, with three of her brothers serving overseas in the military (Fr. Cyprian, Joe, and Ben), Rita contributed to the home front effort working as a secretary in St. Cloud, MN, with a brief stint as a riveter building aircraft at Char-Gale. During this time, she would receive letters and gifts from Robert (Bob) Rosenthal who was serving in the Navy stationed in Oahu, HI.
On June 18, 1946, Rita married Bob in Sacred Heart Church. Together, they settled into a home Bob built in Roseville, Minnesota, and created a warm, energetic home centered around faith, laughter, and family as they raised their 11 children.
An amazing cook and baker, Rita’s home was always full of warmth and wonderful food. She had a lifelong passion for games, playing bingo, and traveling through the years alongside Terry and her husband Donald “Buddy” Carlson. A devout catholic and a passionate sports enthusiast, Rita was an avid, die-hard fan of the Minnesota Vikings, rarely missing a game.
Rita is survived by her 11 devoted children; daughters, Therese (Donald) Carlson, Mary Kay, Marcia (William) Almquist, Roberta (William) Thom, Michelle (Timothy) Frantzen, Elizabeth (Michael) Lewis, Janet (Richard) Mahmood, Kristen (John) Maurer, and Rita Jr. (Ronald) Rosenthal-McCann; sons, Robert Jr. (Dianne) and Jeffrey (Jackie); 23 grandchildren, Kristina, Karin, Joe, Anna, Jamie, Lenny, Genna, Willy, Jake, Nick, Mike, Lisa, Shawn, Andrea, Brianna, Alicia, Talia, Jeff, Tony, Billy, Zach, Ashley, and Matthew; 24 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert Francis Rosenthal; her parents, Michael and Mary Seitz; her eight siblings: Erma, Ed, Joe, Al, Cyprian, Marie, Marge, and Ben; and grandson Ricky Mahmood.
Mass of Christian Burial at Church of St. Peter, Forest Lake 11 am Thursday, November 5th with visitation at 10 am. Interment at 12:30 pm on Friday, November 6th at Ft. Snelling Cemetery.
Church of Saint Peter
1250 South Shore Drive
Forest Lake, MN 55025
Church of Saint Peter
1250 South Shore Drive
Forest Lake, MN 55025
Fort Snelling National Cemetery
7601 34th Avenue, South
Minneapolis, MN 55450
612-726-1127
I am so sorry to hear that Aunt Rita has passed. May God comfort you all. She was kind, cheerful and such a joy to be around! She will be missed but I know God has prepared a beautiful home for her with family and friends. You are all in my prayers.
