Rita Conradine Kliethermes (Grefrath)

Age 91 of Forest Lake, passed away peacefully at her home on December 16, 2025.

Rita was preceded in death by husband, John Charles Kliethermes Sr.; parents, Joseph and Teresa Grefrath; siblings, Mary (Joe) Haslag, Beatrice (August) Nilges, Bernard (Hermanda) Grefrath, Ray (Peggy) Grefrath, Herbert (Betty) Grefrath, Joseph (Leona) Grefrath, Norbert Grefrath, Edmund (Patricia) Grefrath.

She is survived by her five children, John (Jami) Kliethermes Jr., Mark (MaryAnn) Kliethermes, Kevin Kliethermes, Dale Kliethermes and Lori Kliethermes; eight grandchildren, Rachel (Michael) Will, Chris (Katy) Kliethermes, John (Mary) Kliethermes III, Ann (Eric) Waletzko, Mark (Aline) Kliethermes Jr., Stephanie Kliethermes, David (Chelsea) Kliethermes and Cody (Megan) Kliethermes; nineteen (19) great grandchildren, David, Daniel, Twins Mary and Jami Will, Makayla and Easton Kliethermes, Mariana Kliethermes, Jack, Phillip, Eric Jr. and Kendall Waletzko, Lily and Teo Kliethermes, Luke, Charlie and Bette Lou Kliethermes, Kennedi and Maddyn Kliethermes, Cooper Kliethermes; sister-in-law, Geneva Grefrath; many nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends.

Rita was born at home in Loose Creek, MO on March 25, 1934, the youngest child to Joseph and Teresa (Cremer) Grefrath.  She is preceded in death by her husband, John Sr. (Johnny), her parents, along with 2 sisters and 6 brothers.  Rita was a devout Catholic and a proud servant to our Lord Jesus.  She graduated from Fatima High School in Westphalia, MO. Prior to marriage, she went to work for the Department of Social Services in Jefferson City.  Rita was a devoted, loving, caring wife and mother.  After raising her 5 children, she returned to work at Roberts Floral in Bismark, ND where she excelled at floral arrangements and plant care.  Rita faithfully attended Eucharistic adoration weekly at St Peter’s chapel since its inception nearly 30 years ago. She was well-known and admired by her church peers and was consistently the familiar face in the pew.

Mass of Christian Burial 11 AM Monday, December 29th with visitation beginning at 10 AM at Church of St. Peter, 1250 S. Shore Dr., Forest Lake. A Memorial Celebration of Life will also take place in Loose Creek, Missouri at a later date TBD.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made to any Eye Health organization such as The American Macular Degeneration Foundation or any Christian Charity organization of choice.