Rita Ertl of Waite Park died Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at Sterling Park Health Care Center. She was 95. 
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, at the Church of St. Anthony in Watkins. A visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery. The service will be live-streamed at www.ertlfuneral.com.
Rita Catherine Sturm was born March 6, 1928, in Elrosa, Minn., to John and Magdalena (Elenz) Sturm, the youngest of nine children. She grew up in Belgrade where she received her education. She was united in marriage to Francis “Fritz” Ertl on Aug.12, 1947, at the Church of St. Anthony in Watkins. They lived in Watkins for many years where she was an active member of the Church of St. Anthony before moving to Waite Park. Rita enjoyed gardening, golfing, bowling, playing cards, keeping up with current events, and spending time with her family and friends. She was a true prayer warrior, and will be remembered as a great cook and a perfect housekeeper.
Rita was preceded in death by her husband Francis “Fritz” Ertl; siblings Harold (and Maxine) Sturm, Ralph Sturm, Ed (and Shirley) Sturm, Bill (and Anna Mae) Sturm, Ray (and Eleanor) Sturm, Vincent (and Valeria) Sturm, Lucinda (and Art) Blomker, and Mildred (and Ludwig) Halvorson.
She is survived by her children David (and Ninfa) Ertl of St. Joseph, Kathy (and Mark) Bjorke of St. Joseph, michael (and Melissa) Ertl of St. Joseph, and Mark (and Martha) Ertl of Minneapolis; grandchildren Jerry (and Jessie) Ramirez, Brandon Ertl, Derek Ertl, and Benjamin Ertl; and great-grandchildren Hannah, Leah, and Tyler.