Dennis Funeral Homes

RITA MAE (CLEMONS) KORTUEM GALLAGHER, age 89 of Spokane, Washington formerly of Waseca, died Sunday, June 28, 2009 at Royal Park Care Center in Spokane.

Born in Kilkenny, Minnesota on June 22, 1920, she was the first child of Martin Alvah and Mary Helen (Wesley) Clemons.  Rita attended school in the Waterville-Elysian area.  Following high school, she earned a teaching certificate from Mankato Normal School.   She taught one year in a little country school.  On June 1, 1941, Rita and Robert Francis Kortuem of Madison Lake were united in marriage at Sacred Heart Church in Waseca where she was a member until 2000.

Bob and Rita raised their seven children in a house on Loon Lake where they welcomed friends and relatives by the droves.  All enjoyed the fruits of her labors.  Following Bob's death in 1965, Rita continued to run the family businesses - school bus, rural gas delivery, car wash, and with the help of eldest son, Bob built a laundromat.

In July of 1970, Rita married Michael Raymond "Ray" Gallagher, adding four stepsons to the family.  Ray passed away in 1995.  In 1997, Rita moved to Oregon, then to Montana, and finally to Spokane, Washington.

Rita was an avid gardener and cake decorator.  She loved to knit and crochet, make rugs on her loom, and played piano and organ.  Above all else, she was devoted to her family.

Rita is survived by sons, Bob (Sharon) Kortuem, David (Linda) Kortuem, Tim (Roberta) Kortuem, and Bill (Diane) Kortuem; daughters, Barb (Don) Barbknecht, Margaret (Bill) Clay, and Rita (Dan) Schlosser; steps-sons, Don (Edna) Gallagher, Jack (Jody) Gallagher, and Gary (Mary) Gallagher and their families.  Rita is also survived by brothers, Joe (Barb) Clemons, Lawrence (Leta) Clemons, Leonard (Kay) Clemons, James (Mary Kay) Myers and Jerome (Marlene) Myers; sisters-in-law, Winifred Clemons, Grayce Kortuem, and Margaret Malterer; and many nieces and nephews.  Rita was a loving grandmother to 27, great grandmother to 31, step-grandmother to 8 and step-great grandmother to 14.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Bob and Ray, sister Loretta Hoffman, brother Milton, twin children Charles and Charlotte, grandchildren Benjamin and Rebecca, step-son Mike, and step-grandson Patrick.

Visitation will be at Kinder-Dennis Home For Funerals in Waseca on Wednesday, July 1, 2009 from 4-8 PM with a 7:00 PM Christian Vigil Service and continue on Thursday, one hour before services at the church.  

Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 2, 2009 at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waseca.  Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Waseca.