Rita Catherine Lemire

BILLINGS — Former Flathead Lake part-time resident Rita Catherine Lemire, 79, of Billings, died at St. Vincent Healthcare on March 18, 2005, surrounded by her family. Her tremendous courage and determination helped her cope with her poor health for the past 20 years.

Rita was born on Aug. 21, 1925, in North Bend, Neb., to Irene and Tom Chapman. Her mother died when Rita was six months old. She was raised by her Aunt Margie and Uncle Eddy until her dad remarried and Mildred Chapman became her new mother. Aunt Margie and Uncle Eddy were special to her throughout their lives, a special bond existed between them even after their deaths.

Rita went to high school in Omaha and on to nursing school, graduating from St. Catherine's in 1946. It was while working as a nurse that she met her soul mate, Ross.

After dating for a while and the marriage proposal, Ross gave her an ultimatum: "I can get married in July or we will have to hold off seeing each other for about a year. I need to write my thesis." Mom chose the month of July and she and Dad were married on July 25, 1951.

Ross and Rita lived In Omaha where Ross taught at Creighton Medical School until they moved to Billings in 1956 when he started his practice with John Hurly.

Rita stayed home to raise their four children until the last one was in high school.

She then took a refresher RN course and went back to work part time at St. Vincent's, working there for 10 years.

She enjoyed cooking, was part of a gourmet club, loved to play bridge and was involved with numerous book clubs. Rita's favorite time was going to the cabin at Flathead Lake and living there part time after Ross retired.

Rita is survived by her husband of 54 years, Ross Lemire; daughter Mary Beth (Cary) Sanderson of Billings; son Shull (Kathy) Lemire of Missoula; daughter Sarah (Spinner) VanArsdale of Billings; daughter Anne Denise (Bill) Vaubel of Austin, Texas; 13 grandchildren, Jason, Chris, Zach, Ford, Kayla, Angela, Nicole, Mattie, Andrew, Brandon, Erin, Eric, and Elie; siblings, Mary Pat Nicola of Denver, Margaret Jean (Ray) Gasnick of Boston; sister-in-laws, Joan Lemire of Seattle and Carol Chapman of Arizona; and various nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers Jim and Bill.

A funeral Mass was celebrated March 22 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church. Cremation followed the services, and private family inurnment will take place at a later date.

Memorials may be given to the charity of one's choice.

Michelotti-Sawyers was in charge of arrangements.