Rita M. Pierce (nee: Van Beck), age 85 of Hudson, WI, formerly of Tucson AZ, Mankato MN, and Fridley MN, passed away on her 59th wedding anniversary on January 18, 2013 at the Christian Community Home in Hudson.

Rita was born on October 12, 1927, the daughter of Anton and Louise (Osendorf) Van Beck in Elrosa, MN. Along with her brothers and sisters, she attended grade school in Elrosa and graduated from Sauk Centre High School.

On January 18, 1954 she was united in marriage to Robert M. Pierce in Iowa City, IA, a marriage that would be blessed with three children: William, Thomas, and James.

Rita was a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) and was very pleased to win the Don Murray award. She also enjoyed interviewing, and even got to interview Olympic hockey coach, Herb Brooks. She and Bob were big travelers and they loved spending time looking at the scenery together from the car. Through their travels, they visited all fifty states, all of the presidential libraries, and almost all of the Canadian provinces. She also enjoyed bowling, golfing, playing bocce ball, and playing other games like dominos and bridge. She was big John Grisham fan, and was an avid reader of The Daily Bread. She loved to cook and go out to eat. Her passion, however, was her family. She loved being a mom and a grandma.

She is survived by her husband Robert of Hudson, WI; children, William (Donna) Pierce of Hudson, WI, Thomas (Barb) Pierce of Glenwood City, WI, and James (Jeanine) Pierce of Cottage Grove, MN; grandchildren, James Pierce, Jessica Pierce, Danielle Pierce, Nick Pierce, Ben Pierce, Kelsey Pierce, and Kelly Pierce; great-grandchildren, Autumn and Ian Pierce; siblings, Dick (Rose) Van Beck and Marty (Hattie) Van Beck; brother-in-law, Robbie Hinnenkamp; along with many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Irvin, Rita, Loraine, Betty, and Bob.

A visitation for Rita will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, January 25 at the O’Connell Funeral Home in Hudson. The Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, January 26 at the United Methodist Church in Hudson, with a visitation one hour prior to the service at church.

Services are entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home – Hudson. (715) 386-3725. www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com