Rita J. Poepping, 83, Albany formerly of St. Cloud

November 28, 1931 – August 22, 2015

Rita J. Poepping, age 83 of Albany formerly of St. Cloud, died Saturday, August 22, 2015 at Mother of Mercy Campus of Care, Albany.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, St. Cloud. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 PM on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud and one hour prior to mass Wednesday at church. Parish prayers will be said at 5:00 PM Tuesday at Benson Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery

Rita was born November 28, 1931 in Melrose, MN to Bernard and Elizabeth (Wenker) Bussmann. She was married to Jerome Poepping on September 23, 1952 in Melrose, MN. Rita worked on the lunch staff at St. Cloud School District 742 for many years. She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church and the Christian Women. Rita enjoyed Crocheting, knitting, baking bread and cookies, golfing, bowling, bingo and she especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her 9 children, Gary (Judy) of Brooklyn Center, MN, Beverly Delong of St. Cloud, Sandy (Mike) Cruzen of St. Cloud, Debra (Paul) Theisen of St. Cloud, Pamela (Greg) Schultz of Rice, MN, James (Mary) of St. Cloud, Robert of St. Cloud, Brian of Sartell and Shannon (Mike) Anderson of Clear Lake; 31 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; brothers, Bernard Bussmann, Jr. of Melrose and Edward Bussmann of Melrose; sisters Cecilia Hansen of Sauk Centre, Lorraine Kraker of Melrose, Doris Peterson of Sauk Centre and Betty Lou Goebel of Freeport.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jerome; daughter, Sharon Harris; sisters, Anna Mae Morrison and Bernice Thieler and an infant son.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Mother of Mercy Campus of Care for the kindness and care provided to Rita and the entire family.