Rita Amelia Pouliot age 84, of Loretto passed away on Friday, May 4, 2018. She was born on March 23, 1934 to Theodore and Eleanor (Barthel) Dehn in Anoka, Minnesota.

Rita was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who was devoted to her family.

Rita was born and raised on a dairy farm in Anoka. She was one of 11 children. She met Donald Pouliot at the Lake Sarah dance hall. She was introduced by her sister’s husband. Donald was also a dairy farmer from Loretto. They were married in 1954 and built a home on the Pouliot farm where they raised their 8 children. Not only did Rita care for them but also for several hired farm helpers. She babysat for extra money as well as sold sweet corn/veggies. She loved to bake, entertain, volunteer at the church and play bingo! Her family was her first priority! Her grandchildren/great grandchildren brought a lot of joy into her and Don’s lives. A huge passion of Rita’s was to donate and help the less fortunate. She met a gentlemen from Kenya, Africa who gave her a purpose over the last 10 years! She knew the donations went directly to Africa either by himself or his family. She gathered school supplies, food, toiletries, bedding, clothing, shoes, etc. She also gathered items for the Appalachian Mountains thru her parish. It gave her great joy knowing she was making someone’s life more comfortable. She always put others first. Rita was diagnosed 16 years ago with a rare blood disease called Amyloidosis. She fought a long battle until she passed away on May 4, 2018 from Complications due to the disease. She passed peacefully with all her children and some of her grandchildren by her side.

Rita is survived by her children, Julaine (Dave) Krier, Joyce (Randy) Hatcher, David (Louise) Pouliot, Allen (Donna) Pouliot, Douglas (Denise) Pouliot, Janice (Pat) Hank, Jodi (Dave) Thomsen, Aaron (Peggy) Pouliot; 21 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; siblings, Delores DeMars, James (Bernie) Dehn, Marie Picotte, Ron (Marie) Dehn. Sisters -in-law Noreen Dehn, Margaret Dehn.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband Donald, her parents Theodore and Eleanor (nee Barthel) Dehn. Brothers, Harold, Gordy, LeRoy, Norbert, sisters, Leora and Helen.

Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. on Monday May 14th at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Loretto, Minnesota. Visitation took place from 4 to 8 p.m. on Sunday May 13th, with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service in Ss. Peter and Paul Parish Center in Loretto, Minnesota. Interment was in the church cemetery.

Arrangements by the Iten Funeral Home in Delano, Minnesota.