Rita Virginia Heller

Mankato Mortuary
1001 N. Riverfront Drive
Mankato, MN
(507) 388-2202

Rita Virginia (Schaffer) Heller was born May 1, 1953 in Slayton, Minnesota to Elizabeth and George Schaffer Jr. She grew up on her family’s farm near Currie, MN and attended grade school at I.H.M Catholic School. Rita graduated from Tracy High School in 1972. Following her graduation she worked in Marshall, MN and then moved to Mankato, MN where she lived for the past 41 years. She worked at Ecumen Pathstone Living Nursing Home, Carlson Craft and was an employee of Associated Finishing for the past 31 years.

Rita was married to Paul H. Heller on June 16, 1984 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Mankato, Minnesota. She enjoyed gardening, word puzzles, reading, being outdoors and spending time with family and friends. She was a member of Caring Canines, a local chapter of the Alliance of Therapy dogs, for over twenty years and she enjoyed visiting hospitals and nursing homes with her therapy dogs. Rita will best be remembered for her kind and loving spirit, and that she cherished her family, friends and co-workers. She died on September 4th, 2016 at the University of Minnesota Hospital, six months after being diagnosed with cancer.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth and George Schaffer Jr. She is survived by her husband, Paul H. Heller and her 10 siblings, Dennis (Alyce) Schaffer of Courtland, MN, Michael (Nina) Schaffer of Fulda, MN, Colleen (Roy) Schweiss  of Fairfax, MN, Mary Schaffer of Minneapolis, MN, Joseph Schaffer of Pipestone, MN, Duane Schaffer of Mankato, MN, Barbara (Laverne) Dunsmore of Delano, MN, Paul (Jamie) Schaffer of Mankato, MN, Jane (Scott) Schaffer of Portland, OR, and Charles (Rebekah) Schaffer of St. Paul, MN. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews; brothers-and sisters-in-law; her best friend of 40 years, Dawn Bolhuis; and her beloved dog Jax.

A celebration of Rita’s life will be held at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Mankato, MN, on Saturday, September 17th. Visitation is scheduled from 9:30-11:00 AM and the service will be held at 11:00 AM. A lunch reception will be held at the church following the service. Interment will be at the Calvary Cemetery in Currie, MN.

In lieu of flowers, you may honor Rita by contributing to the following:  

Alliance of Therapy Dogs Send donations to: ATD, P.O. Box 20227, Cheyenne, WY 82003 or via their website: https://www.therapydogs.com/

Angel Foundation: Send donations to: Angel Foundation, 1155 Centre Pointe Drive, Suite 7, Mendota Heights, MN 55120 or via their website https://mnangel.org/waystogive/donate/