Rita Mae Counihan

Rita went home to Jesus April 30, 2019. She was born November 30, 1932, in St. Paul, MN to Henry and Ida (Isakson) Johnke.

She married Edwin Counihan in St. Paul on January 28, 1953. They made their first home in Kansas while Ed completed his military enlistment. Upon returning to St. Paul, she worked as an accountant for Brown and Bigelow until the birth of her daughter in 1963.

Rita quietly and with great strength managed her household, supporting her children and husband in their many endeavors in Orr, MN. Ed and Rita pastored Ray Community Church in Ray, MN for fifteen years. She was a woman who loved to laugh with her friends Judy, Sharon, Jackie, Marge and Carol.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Ed; parents; and her sister, Joan.

She is survived by her daughters, Colleen (Nick) Geray of Fargo and Kelly Counihan of Moorhead; grandchildren, Chrystal and Colin Geray of Fargo, Heidi (Mike) Hutter of Wisconsin, Forrest (Hillary) Hutter of Washington State, Summer (Andrew) Hutter of Fargo and Veronica Hutter of Moorhead; along with nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

The family would like to extend gratitude to the caring staff of Rosewood on Broadway and the Palliative Care Program with Hospice of the Red River Valley.