Rhita Marie Keskey

Rhita Marie Keskey (nee Seppala), 95, of Sebeka, MN passed away on March 27, 2026, in St. Cloud, MN.

Rhita was born in Laurium, MI on October 11, 1930, to Ernest and Lempi (Sihtala) Seppala. At the age of 3, the family moved a few miles further north up the Keweenaw Peninsula to Wolverine, MI, and lived with her grandparents. At the age of 5, the family moved to Ironwood, MI, as her father had taken employment to manage the Pearce hardware store.

Rhita grew up in Ironwood. She attended and graduated from Luther L Wright High School in 1948. She attended Suomi College in Hancock, MI and then returned to Ironwood to work in Gogebic National Bank.

The area that Rhita grew up in was also the first home of the man she would eventually marry. Earl would return to the area to visit relatives and on one of these visits he met Rhita. Because of this romance, Rhita moved to Minneapolis in February of 1955 and took employment with First National Bank of Minneapolis. Later that year on September 10, 1955, Rhita and Earl were married in Wakefield, MI. They settled in Cokato, MN after they were married to be near family.

The family moved “up North” in 1958 when Earl gained employment with Security State Bank in Sebeka. Rhita was a steadfast partner for her husband and family during the busy years of raising a family. In 1964 the young couple bought the Security State Bank in Sebeka and owned it until 2005.

Rhita was blessed with good health during her life, and it sustained her into the later years. Thus, she had time and energy for her many interests such as gardening, walking, swimming and her many golf games with Earl in their retirement years. Her knitting basket was always close at hand, and she found her greatest joy in knitting a Christmas stocking for each one of her 64 grandchildren.

Being a “Yooper” by birth, Rhita returned to the Keweenaw Peninsula every summer, with her husband Earl. Over the years they had the opportunity to own cabins on the shore of Lake Superior in Rabbit Bay, MI. Here they spent numerous summers and anxiously waited for the kids and grandkids to come and visit. These were more than the cabins to Rhita, instead a place to have family and friends visit. In the wintertime they would then go south and spend the winters in Phoenix.

After Earl’s passing in September 2019, she continued to live in Sebeka. With her summer and winter trips to Rabbit Bay and Phoenix respectively. In February of 2025, she moved into the Providence Villa in Sebeka and enjoyed life to the fullest there until her passing.

Rhita’s faith was the most important part of her life. She was a founding member of the Westside Laestadian Lutheran Church, west of Sebeka. Later this became the Laestadian Lutheran Church of Menahga. The church and her friends there were very important to her, and she supported the church in many ways throughout her life. In the end through her faith in the merit works of Christ, she gained her eternal reward in heaven.

Rhita is survived by, Children; Ann (Steve) Kariniemi of Phoenix, AZ, Douglas (Julie) Keskey of Corcoran, MN, Daniel Keskey of Northfield, MN, Karen (Michael) Kariniemi of Corcoran, MN, Barbara (Bradley) Simonson of Outlook, Saskatchewan, Donald (Jodie) Keskey of Zimmerman, MN, Patricia (Chad) Wuollet of Epping, ND. Brother-in-Law; Roger (Janet) Keskey, Sister-in-Law’s; Lavona Keskey and Susie Keskey. 64 grandchildren, 195 great grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren and countless friends. Rhita was preceded in death by her husband; Earl. Son; Kenneth. Parents; Ernest and Lempi Seppala. Parents-in law; Ernest and Mamie Keskey. Brother; Karl Seppala. Sister-in-law’s; Inez Seppala and Joanne Keskey and Virgina Keskey; Brother-in-laws; Melvin and Clifford Keskey. Grandchildren; Donald Simonson, Shelly Simonson. Great-Grandchild; Hayden Simonson

Active pallbearers are grandsons: Ryan Kariniemi, Adam Keskey, Nathan Kariniemi, Richard Simonson, Levi Keskey, and Riley Wuollet. 

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 AM, Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at the Laestadian Lutheran Church in Menahga, MN. Visitation will be at 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Burial will be held after the service at Sebeka West Cemetery in Sebeka, MN. To leave online condolences please visit www.wevleyfuneralhome.com.