Rita A (Gaul) Severns

Northview - North Mankato Mortuary
2060 Commerce Drive
North Mankato, Minnesota 56003
507-388-2288

Rita Ann (Gaul) Severns of North Mankato and formerly of St. Peter, died of a heart attack on Sunday April 20, 2014 at Mayo Clinic Health Systems in Mankato.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 25, 2014 at Northview - North Mankato Mortuary 2060 Commerce Drive North Mankato with Rev. Peter Nosbush officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Mankato. Visitation will be held one hour before the service. Memorials are preferred to animal causes, including Blue Earth Nicollet County Humane Society, PETA, etc.

Rita was born April 11, 1938 to Clarence and Almeda (Larson) Gaul in Preston, Minnesota. She was married to Gary Severns on January 21, 1955, they later divorced in 1961.

Rita lived, worked in and near Mankato for most of her life. She worked at Thro Drug and North Mankato Holiday Inn before graduating from South Central Technical College " North Mankato with a LPN degree. Rita, then a nurse, worked at Immanuel " St. Joseph Hospital, Leo Hoffman Center and Minnesota State Regional Treatment Center in St. Peter until retirement.

Rita is survived by her three children, Rick Severns, of Southern California, Jody (Kevin) Swanson of Mankato, and Mark (Anne) Severns of Palos Verders Estates, CA; grandchildren, Matthew (Shelia) Swanson, Andrew (Francisco Castro) Swanson, Jenni (Chris) Milo, Mike Severns, Megan Severns, Mackenzie Severns, Jared Severns, Tatum Lee Severns; great-grandson, Griffin Swanson; uncle, Martin Larson; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; her dog, Madison, miniature Alaskan white.

Preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Allen, Jerry and Mike.

Rita had a very soft heart, always cheered for the underdog.