Rita Rae Clark, 86, passed away Sunday, November 13, 2022 at the Mapleton Community Home in Mapleton, MN where she lived for two years. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, July 21, 2023 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Flandreau, South Dakota.

Rita was born February 23, 1936 in Madison, SD to Bernard and Anna Marie (Johnson) Clark. She grew up on her grandparent's homestead farm near Rutland. The family moved to Flandreau, SD in January, 1954. Rita graduated from high school that year and was married on August 29, to Bruce E. DePew. Together they had three children. They later divorced in 1987.

Rita was a homemaker and volunteer at the Mankato Medical Hospital. Her hobbies included sewing clothes, needlework, making leather goods, growing plants, and rock gardens.

The DePew family lived in South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, and flew to Germany from 1961 to 1964. They would later make their home in Mankato, MN.

Rita Rae compiled a large family history that she shared with her immediate family. She was a member of the Minnesota Daughters of the American Revolution. She had visits from Pastors at the Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in her later years. She also enjoyed playing cards with her friends.

She is survived by her daughters, Sherry (Tom) Trahms of Janesville, MN, Connie (Royce) Mann of Maiden Rock, WI; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; brother, Bruce (JoAnn) Clark; and sister, Elise (John) Ulwelling of Flandreau, SD.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Anna Marie Clark, son, Mark DePew, brother, Don Clark, and sister, Reva Oines.