Rita Beehler, 95 | Bonner County Daily Bee

It is difficult to describe or summarize 95 years in just a few paragraphs. Rita had a great life with a few detours along the way, some happy, others difficult. To support her in all of her experiences, the eternal optimist should be attributed to her. She always said that tomorrow would be a better day. She had a deep connection to her Catholic faith and believed that the ultimate resting place would be with our Eternal Heavenly Father.

Rita was born on February 15, 1926 on the family farm in Silver Lake, Minnesota, to Stephen Pokornowski and Clara Mallak Pokornowski. Rita married Frank J. Cafferty in 1945 in Silver Lake, Minnesota. After four children, the oldest of whom was six years old, and just ten days after the birth of Frank and Rita’s daughter Doreen, Frank was involved in a car accident that cost him his life.

With the help of a strong family and her connection to the Catholic Church, Rita went on with her life. After a few years, she bought a modest house in Winsted, Minnesota. One evening when she was away with her four children and visiting their parents, this house burned down.

In 1955, Rita married Reuben Zimmerman. On March 29, 1957, they had a son, Stephen G. Zimmerman. In February 1958, at the age of 11 months, Stephen contracted a virus that cost him his life.

Ruben was never healthy after losing her son. He eventually lost his multiple battles with cancer in 1967.

Meanwhile, while raising her family in Winsted, Minnesota, Rita decided that the simple jobs available to her were not enough for her endeavors. Rita enrolled and graduated with a degree in cosmetology and began her lifelong career as a successful beautician. In 1966, Rita and her family moved to St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

Rita met Vic Beehler and they married in 1970. They lived in St. Louis Park, Minnesota until they moved to Sandpoint, Idaho in 1981. Vic and Rita were avid square dancers. Together they spent many hours on the dance floor, doing square dancing and dancing polkas and waltzes. They danced very well together as they slid across many dance floors. They lived as inseparable soul mates.

After they retired, Vic and Rita spent the winters traveling and eventually bought a winter home in Florence, Arizona. Vic died in 2006 as they were preparing to leave their Arizona home and return to Sandpoint.

Because she was always kind and caring, it was easy for Rita to make friends. She had many friends in Sandpoint, at her winter home in Arizona, and in numerous other parts of the United States. Rita spent the next winters in Florence until her health deteriorated somewhat and she did not feel comfortable being alone.

In recent years, Rita has spent most of the time with her daughter Doreen Dolyniuk. It was thanks to Doreen’s constant care and the many visits from her family and friends that Rita felt very comfortable and was ready for anything that should happen.

Rita is survived by Vic’s two daughters, Lorna (Fred) Germain, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Donna (Dennis) Wieder, Vancouver, Washington; her three sons Dennis Cafferty, Sandpoint, Kenneth (Shelia) Cafferty, Rathdrum, Idaho, and Frank S. (Jean) Cafferty, Sandpoint; and her daughter Doreen Dolyniuk, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, Rochelle (Paul) Gibbs and Darcy (Chad) Steger, both couples from Minneapolis, Christina (Mike) Miscovich, Coldfoot, Alaska, Kipp (Jenny) Cafferty, Minneapolis, Amanda (Mark) Wilkins. Spokane, Washington, Sean (Leah) Cafferty, Post Falls, Idaho, Meggie (Dave Dail) Cafferty, Moscow, Idaho, Jonas (Rachel) Cafferty, Minneapolis, Dr. Curtis (Shannon) Wozniak, US Air Force, Warrant Officer III, Anthony J. Wozniak, US Army, and Kaitlyn (Brandon) Shelton, Post Falls; as well as many great-grandchildren and step-children

The rosary / vigil service will be held on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at 10 a.m. in the Catholic Church of St. Joseph.

The Christian burial mass will be held on Wednesday March 31, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. in the Catholic Church of St. Joseph under the direction of Father Sleeva Raju. The inurnition takes place at Pinecrest Memorial Park.

Monuments may be directed to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Sandpoint, Idaho, or the Sandpoint Area Senior Center in Sandpoint, where Vic and Rita enjoyed spending time with lunch, bingo, and card games.

Family and friends are invited to sign their guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

The arrangements are made by Coffelt Funeral Service.