Rita Seppala

FUNERAL SERVICES : 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN.VISITATION : One hour prior to services at the funeral home on Saturday.INTERMENT : Jim Cook Cemetery, Menahga, MNSURVIVORS : Her daughter, Anna Wegscheid of Moorhead, MN; her parents, Olavi and Sirkka Seppala of Menahga, MN; one brother, Matt (Mijung) Seppala of Dallas, TX; one nephew, Michael (Megan) Seppala of Little Rock, AR; one great nephew, Matthew Seppala. RITA HELLEVI SEPPALAAugust 8, 1953 ~ November 8, 2010 Rita Hellevi Seppala, age 57 of Wadena, MN, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Monday, November 8, 2010. Rita was born to Olavi and Sirkka (Lind) Seppala on August 8, 1953 in Pori, Finland. At the age of six, Rita immigrated with her family to the United States settling in the Menahga area. She attended Menahga Elementary School and Menahga High School graduating with the class of 1971. Rita went on to attend Bemidji State University where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree. She then gained employment with Itasca Manufacturing in Menahga. In 1977 she began working for Homecrest Industries in Wadena. She continued working for Homecrest Outdoor Living as an aluminum welder in a career that spanned over 33 years. On November 26, 1986 Rita was united in marriage to William Wegscheid. Their union was blessed with one daughter, Anna. The couple made their home in Wadena. Rita took pride in providing a warm and loving home for her family. She liked to garden, both flowers and vegetables. She preserved much of the produce she grew, but it was her salsa that was truly memorable. Rita was a gifted artist and is credited with designing the St. Urho statue that welcomes visitors in Menahga. She was an accomplished painter and shared her art with family and friends. She enjoyed many kinds of needle work including hardanger embroidery and lace making. Rita wove rugs on her loom that she sold out of her home and at flea markets. She was an outdoors woman who loved to get out on the trails on her bicycle, cross county skis, or downhill skis. She was passionate about her Finnish heritage, this she displayed in her crafts and through the demonstrations she presented at the Finn Creek Museum near New York Mills. She was a member of The Minnesota Finnish American Historical Society, The Cross Country Ski Club of Wadena, and P.A.W.S. (Pets Abandoned Wanting Support) of Wadena. She will be dearly missed by family and friends. Rita is survived by her daughter, Anna Wegscheid of Moorhead, MN; her parents, Olavi and Sirkka Seppala of Menahga, MN; one brother, Matt (Mijung) Seppala of Dallas, TX; one nephew, Michael (Megan) Seppala of Little Rock, AR; one great nephew, Matthew Seppala; and other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Cindy Flicek. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at the Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home in Menahga, MN with Reverend Elmer Yliniemi officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service at Cardini-Pearson Funeral Home. Interment will be made in the Jim Cook Cemetery south east of Menahga.