Rita Biesterveld

Rita M. Biesterveld, 84, of Rock Falls, Wis., died Jan. 4, 2019, at her home, surrounded by her family, as a result of an aggressive pancreatic cancer.
Rita was born Dec. 13, 1934, to Mathias and Emma (Dettling) Bechel. Rita married William P. Biesterveld, Jr. on Oct. 20, 1954, in Plum City. Rita and Bill lived and farmed on their farm in Rock Falls their entire married lives.
Rita and Bill had eight children—five boys and three girls. Rita was a devoted wife and mother. She was a lifetime member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, in Rock Falls, where she donated countless hours of service over the years. She enjoyed crocheting, sewing, quilting, baking, gardening, and had great pride in her flowers. She had beautiful flowers all over her yard. In her retirement, she discovered a love for reading, and was known to stay up all night just to finish a good book. She was also very proud to be involved in sewing dresses and shorts to send to orphanages in Africa. Besides working on their dairy farm, Rita worked at Sacred Heart hospital from 1984 to 1996. She loved spending time over the years at her daughter’s greenhouse, where she met so many people and loved the opportunity to spend so much time with her daughters. She volunteered at the American Lutheran Home, in Mondovi, and was also very busy babysitting and spending time with her grandchildren.
Rita will most be remembered for her quiet, sweet personality that always saw the good in everyone, and would do anything for anybody.
Rita is survived by her husband of 64 years, William; her children, Shari Biesterveld of Rock Falls, Steve (Jean) of Eagle Lake, Minn., Deb Biesterveld (Kim Stafford) of Durand, Dan (Margie) of Arkansaw, Lori (Kerry) Falkner of Mondovi, Kevin (Cheryl) of Rock Falls, Kris (Stacy) of Rock Falls; grandchildren, Casey (Joey) Falkner, Andrea (Derrick) Westphal, Hailey (Dustin) Poeschel, Jason (Lindsay), Sarah, Derek, Jacob, Joshua, Joe Biesterveld; great-grandchildren, Charlie, Cashton and Evelyn; step grandchildren, Tim Stamschror, Rene (Kevin) King, Nathan Dusek, Kelly (Keith) Heller; step great-grandchildren, Andrew, Allison, Abby, Finnley, and Kaleob. Rita is also survived by one sister, Sr. Rita Marie Bechel of La Crosse; two brothers, Lawrence (Bernadine) Bechel of Plum City, Casper (Margaret) Bechel of Mondovi; sister-in-law, Marcella Bechel of Elmwood; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her firstborn son, Patrick John; her parents; five brothers and five sisters; and many other relatives.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Friday Jan. 11, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Rock Falls, with Rev. Joseph Nakwah officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery Visitation was held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Rhiel Funeral Home, in Durand, and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.
Online condolences may be made at www.rhielfuneralhome.com.
Rhiel Funeral Home & Cremation Services, of Durand, served the family.