Rita Jean Leaf (LaCroix)

Rita J. Leaf, 63 of St. Michael, ND passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND with loving family at her side.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 7th, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. all at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, February 8th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael's Catholic Church, St. Michael, ND with Reverend Paul Schuster celebrating the Mass.  The procession to St. Michael will leave at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday from City Plaza, Devils Lake.

Rita Jean was born November 28, 1956 at St. John’s Hospital in Fargo, ND to Angeline (Yankton) and Kenneth LaCroix Sr. Throughout her youth and early adulthood she lived in Moorhead, Minnesota.  She attended Moorhead Public School, North Fargo and Central School.  She worked different jobs, such as Dairy Queen, The Powerhouse Hotel and Holiday Inn.

Family and friends would describe her as being big-hearted, family oriented, artistic and unique.

On March 13, 1975, Rita married the love of her life, Dean Duane Leaf in Sisseton, SD. In the winter of 1985, they moved to Spirit Lake Nation, ND to raise their family. 

Rita worked various jobs such as Cap’s South Shore, the Commodity Program, Sioux Manufacturing and eventually the Spirit Lake Casino and Resort from where she retired in December of 2018.

Rita loved family the most.  She would host family dinners during the holidays.  Spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Her hobbies/pastime activities consisted of watching her favorite TV shows such as Criminal Investigations, DIY Home shows, Cooking channel, The Walking Dead and Dark Shadows, shopping and rummaging with her sisters Darlene and Patty, traveling places with her niece, Veronica, collecting teacups, old coins and bills.

Rita will always be remembered for her kindness, open heart and love she shared. Family today would describe her as the most helpful and loving person since she always looked out for others and making sure her loved ones will always be cared for. 

Rita entered the Spirit World surrounded by loved ones; to be with her husband Dean, parents Angeline and Kenneth Sr., brothers Joseph and Stanley LaCroix, granddaughter Sophia Jean, sister-in-law Patricia LaCroix and sisters Joyce and Sharon LaCroix.

She is survived by her children Ryan (Angela) Leaf, Michael (Nicole) Leaf, Steven (Angel) Leaf, Angela (David) Leaf, Elizabeth (Clemens) Leaf, Carmencita (Brian) Leaf and Jolie Leaf, sisters Darlene (Doug) Geller, Patricia (Ross) Leaf and Lois (Keith) Leben and brothers Ken LaCroix and Sylvester LaCroix, her treasured grandchildren and great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Casket Bearers will be O’Shea Redfox, James Leaf, Tyrese Leaf, Brian Cavanaugh, Ryan Leaf and Troy Redfox.

Honorary Bearers are Matthew Leaf, Noah LaCroix, Joan Redfox, Riley Leaf, Tristen Leaf, Kirk Leaf, Curt Leaf, DaNe’sna Leaf, Maddy Leaf, Rayanne Leaf, Makayla Leaf, Melissa Olson, Aidan Leaf, Cheryl Ironhawk, Hillary Black and all of Rita’s many dear friends.

Special thanks to Spirit Lake Health, CHI. St. Alexius Health and Altru Hospital in Grand Forks.