Rita C. Heaton

Mass of Christian Burial celebrating the life of Rita C. Heaton, 66, of Clearwater will be at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Clearwater.  Rita passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 21, 2020 at the St. Cloud Hospital.  Burial will take place in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday at the Daniel Funeral Home in Clearwater and after 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the church.  

Rita was born on February 20, 1954 to Alfred and Maxine (Maxam) Abeln.  She graduated from St. Cloud Tech and attended Anoka Vocational College.  She married Keith P. Heaton on September 28, 1974.  She resided all of her life in the Clearwater area.  Rita was employed in retail and office management for many years. 

Rita enjoyed her flower gardens, scrapbooking, playing piano, traveling, reading, baking and sunsets over the lake.  Above all, she treasured time with her family and friends, especially her grandson, Dakota.

Rita is survived by her loving husband of 46 years, Keith; children, Jeff of Clearwater, Ali (Shaun) Tyznik of Maple Lake; grandson, Dakota; siblings, Dotty (Bill) Koness of Prior Lake, Mona Ritten of Sartell, Ken (Mary) Abeln of Maple Grove and Rick (Bonnie) Abeln of St. Cloud and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Ceil Abeln, Marilyn Abeln and Bobbie Holthaus; nephew, Benjamin Abeln; and brothers-in-law, Gary Holthaus, Kevin Heaton and Tom Ritten.