Rita Grose

Rita Grose, age 88, of Ely, MN passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital. Rita was born on June 14, 1937 to Wayne and Virginia (Todd) Grose.

She attended public school in Terra Haute, Indiana. Her senior year of High School she received awards for band and athletics. 

Rita attended Indiana State Teachers College, and her senior year she was awarded a special award for outstanding female athlete. (She was a member of the Maplewood Christian Church.) Ms Grose graduated with a BS and MS degrees in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. She spent over 30 years teaching Physical Education and Swimming in Indiana with the last years as Dean of Students until her retirement in 1992. Ms Grose retired to Ely. She first came to Ely in the summer of 1969 for camping and fishing. She continued to spend her summers in Ely and in 1974 she purchased Aki Nibi Resort on Farm Lake, until 1981 a cabin in the Summer Homes Group on the South Kawishiwi River. In 1988 she purchased a home on Farm Lake, where she retired from teaching and remained there until her death.

In 1993, she was asked to take over as coordinator of the Blueberry/Art Festival. She held that position for 20 years and received the key to the city for her service.

She is survived by stepbrother John (Gale) Verostko of Terre Haute, Indiana; stepsister Darcy (Chris) Gray and two nephews Kyle Gosnell and Reilly Gray all of Borden, Indiana; special friends Tootise Moravitz, Jill Hinden, Jim and Joan Blauch, Dr. Thomas and Mary Stoffel and Mary Ann Lekatz. 

Memorial Service will be held on October 3, 2025 from 11 a.m. in the Kerntz Funeral Home, Ely, Minnesota. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ely Veterinary Clinic and Contented Critters.

Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home.

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