Rita Schoenstedt

Born in Mankato on May 11, 1937 to MayBelle (Olson) and Raymond “Ray” Krause, Rita grew up in front of the camera, as her father was a photographer and proprietor of Krause Studio in Mankato. She had a magical childhood and remained a lighthearted, fun-loving person. She graduated from Mankato High School in 1955 and high school friends remained very dear to her. She married her high school sweetheart Carl Schoenstedt, September 1, 1957 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mankato, where they remained members. She took art classes at Mankato State and with private instructors, creating unique paintings and drawings, cherished by many. She supported Carl with his work at MN Mutual, was a floral designer, and an artist with her daughter Lynn’s photo studio. 

From their first airline flight to Hawaii in 1968, where family gathered at the Minneapolis airport for their send-off, Rita and Carl were hooked on traveling. She loved history, theater, the visual arts, music, dancing and meeting new people. She was a lovely person and always drawn to the artistic elements which enhance life. She accepted people for who they were, and relished the peculiarities of an interesting personality. Although an introvert, she loved to laugh and have a grand time. Over time she gradually and gracefully retreated from this world of past and future, into a world where only the moment was her awareness. And in that moment, she was spry, clever, and full of humor and love. She passed away Monday, April 6th, 2020 with adoring family at her side.

In one of her personal notes was written, “We are here on earth to live and reveal ourselves, and to remember that we are all different and love isn’t based on understanding, but on acceptance. Practice calmness during conflict, remembering that we all have dreams and the key to acceptance is love, which can be a choice, not always a feeling.”

Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Carl; children, Tom (Beverly) Schoenstedt of Rapid City, Lynn Schoenstedt (David Doerr) of Minneapolis, and Michael (Dawn) Schoenstedt of Kihei; grandchildren, Leah (Derek), Daniel, Audre, Andrew, Sophia, Nicholas; and five great grandchildren. Her parents and sister, Judy Corcoran, preceded her in death.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be planned for a future date. In lieu of flowers and in memory of Rita, please consider a donation to your favorite arts organization. Northview-North Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family.