Rita C. Dees

Rita C. Dees, 84, passed away due to natural causes on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, at the Northern Montana Care Center.

Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, 2016, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel.

Rita's family has requested that memorial donations be made in her name to the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line, PO Box 68, Havre, MT  59501, the Community Mental Health Center, 312 3rd Street, Havre, MT  59501, or to a charity of the donor's choice. 

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements. 

Please visit Rita's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Rita was born on Aug. 28, 1931, in Hingham, Montana, to Theodore S. and Hazel (Brown) Burfield. She was raised in Hingham, and attended school in Gildford. Following her high school graduation, Rita married Donald Dees on Oct. 23, 1949, and the couple made their home in Havre, raising their children there. 

Rita was a very social lady who, in her younger years, enjoyed dancing, and bowling.  She took great care in her appearance, and loved to shop and collect jewelry. Rita was often seen as happy-go-lucky, and she loved spending time in the mountains and butterflies.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore S. and Hazel Burfield; her sisters, Patsy Burfield and Marilyn Welsh, and her brother William "Billy" Burfield.

Rita is survived by her beloved husband, Donald Dees, of Havre; her daughters, Debbie (Conn) Hellebust and Lynn (Alvin) Gatzemeier, both of Havre, and Holly Liles of Brookins, South Dakota; her six grandchildren; her four great-grandchildren; her brother Theodore "Ted" (Diana) Burfield of Missoula, Montana; and numerous nieces and nephews.