Obituary: Rita 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 Kremlin Park or the Gildford Park in care of Paula Melby, Kremlin, MT  59532, 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 Gildford 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 Kremlin, raising their children there.

Rita was a very social lady who, in her younger years, enjoyed dancing, dressing to the nines, bowling and any social function. She took great care in her appearance, and loved shopping and collecting jewelry, as well as visiting with people and going places. She loved butterflies and spending time in the Bear Paw Mountains. Rita usually had a smile for everyone, but her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a special source of pride and joy.

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 Brookings, South Dakota; her six grandchildren; her four great-grandchildren; her brother, Theodore "Ted" (Diana) Burfield of Missoula, Montana; and numerous nieces and nephews.