Rita Nolan Benassi

ROCHESTER, MINN: Rita N. Benassi, 85, passed away Sunday, July 17, 2011 at St. Marys Hospital. Rita was born June 12, 1926 in Duluth to Ambrose and Rose (Page) Nolan. She was a graduate of The Villa and a 1949 graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth. On August 20, 1949 Rita married Robert Benassi in Duluth. Rita and Bob settled in Minneapolis for numerous years before moving to Rochester in 1971. Rita was a member of the League of Women Voters in Minneapolis and very active in Minnetonka politics. She was also a member of the Rochester Civic Theatre and volunteered at the Rochester Library. Rita was an avid reader, bridge player, loved to travel and had a particular fondness for France. She enjoyed literature and having season tickets to the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis where she enjoyed taking in manyperformances. Rita was a devoted and fiercely loving, wife, mother and grandmother. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Rita is survived by her loving husband, Bob; children, David (Virginia) of Springfield, MO, Dana (Dennis) Leach of Minnetonka, MN, Peter of Rochester, Anthony Tony of Rochester; grandchildren, Jeremy, Justin, Andy, Annette, Tyson, Marshall, Ashley, Shalise, Brittany and 5 great-grandchildren. Rita was preceded in death by her son, Michael; parents, 2 sisters and 1 brother. A memorial service will be held 11:00am Friday, July 22, 2011 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes 5421 Royal Place NW, Rochester, MN. Family will receive friends from 9:30am until time of service. A private family inurnment will be held at Oakwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association 3816 Paysphere Circle Chicago, IL 60674 or to the Mayo Clinic Department of development, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905 in memory of Rita.