Obituary of Rita Mary Schleisman

Rita Mary (Rust) Schleisman, 96, died at her home in Sleepy Eye on April 29,2022. She was born to Paul and Bernadine (Olberding) Rust on June 17, 1925 in Little Sioux, Harrison County Iowa. They moved to Carroll, Iowa when she was a baby. She attended St. Peter and Paul school and St. Angela Academy. She worked as a bookkeeper for Farner & Bocken, and then as a stenographer for Seifert Law Firm. She married Leon T. Schleisman on August 12, 1944 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Carroll, Iowa. Together they had five children. The Family moved to Sleepy Eye when they purchased the "Star Cleaners" dry cleaning business in Sleepy Eye in 1960. Sleepy Eye was chosen over other choices because of St. Mary's Catholic Schools. They felt very strongly about sending their children to a Catholic School. Together they operated the Star Cleaners until Leon's death in 1991. At that time she retired and continued to live in her own home. Rita was a member of St. Mary's Christian Mothers, and CCW as well as various other committees. Some of her hobbies and interests included Reading, Sudoku, Crossword Puzzles, Sewing, Cards and Board Games.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband and all 6 of her siblings. She is survived by her children, Judy L Mathiowetz, of Sleepy Eye, Connie J. (Greg) Funk of Sioux City, IA, Douglas (Renae) Schleisman of Delano, Nancy (Richard) Beltz of Alexandria and Leann Scalia of Brooklyn Park; 18 grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren and 4 great-step-grandchildren. 

We will all miss her, but feel blessed, knowing that she is with our Heavenly Father. Her strong Faith has influenced many.