| Remembrances |
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 Rita
Mary Slanina, 85, died March 8, 2007, at Valley Health Care Center.
She was born Rita Mary Agee to Gilbert and Mary Nelson Agee on Dec.
27, 1921, near Choteau. She grew up one of six siblings on a farm and
attended a one-room schoolhouse until high school. She graduated from
Choteau High School in 1939. After high school, she did photo
retouching for Yaw Photo in Great Falls.
On June 25, 1947, she married Stanley S. Slanina in Great Falls. His
job with the telephone company took them to a number of towns,
including Malta, Fort Benton and Red Lodge. By 1960, they had settled
in Billings. Besides caring for her family, Rita spent much of her
time volunteering for school, church and the Pink Ladies' organization
at St. Vincent's Hospital. In 1976, they moved briefly to Glendive,
where she worked at the library. In that year, Stanley passed away and
Rita returned to Billings permanently. She worked in admissions at St.
Vincent's Hospital until her retirement in 1992. She continued to do
volunteer work at St. V's and at Broadwater Elementary School until
Parkinson's robbed her of her mobility and independence.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Stanley; her brothers, Earl
and Donald Agee; her sisters, Lillian Stengrimson and Betty Kitchens;
and her grandson, Craig Slanina.
Rita is survived by her son, Gary (Doni) Slanina of Pompeys Pillar;
her daughters, Susan (John Ong) Slanina of Los Angeles and Nancy (Bill
Nash) Slanina of Bellevue, Wash.; her granddaughters, Lynnsey Slanina
of Platka, Fla., and Katy Ong of Los Angeles; and her great-grandson,
Zander Holst.
Our family would like to thank the staff of Valley Health Care
Center for their care and for their caring, supportive attitude.
Vigil service 7 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at Michelotti-Sawyers.
Funeral Mass 11 a.m. Monday, March 12, at St. Pius X Church.
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