Rita's Obituary
On October 27, 2022, at 6:20 p.m., Rita Leiby breathed in, then out her final breath at Benefis Hospital. Surrounded by family, she expired peacefully, free of the multiple years struggling with her painful health issues.
Rita was…well Rita. She was fiercely independent and determinedly stubborn (perhaps that resulted from her Scandinavian heritage). Born in Wolf Point, MT on September 6, 1948, to George V. and Helen M. Bergstrom, she was their third child. Four years later her youngest sister arrived, and then finally her youngest brother joined the family. The family moved often and found their true home in Great Falls. Rita attended and graduated from Charles M. Russell High School in 1966, within the first graduating class of the new high school.
Rita then began her life journey. Her path led her in many directions. Some of those experiences were filled with great joy and others with deep sorrow. The joys included her two children; six grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and her siblings. Rita loved all of her grandchildren; however, she and her youngest grandson, Cooper Leiby, shared a close loving bond. Rita was able to enjoy being a part of Cooper’s life on a daily basis since he was born. Cooper loved his grandmother’s role in his life. She was as special to him as he was to her. Another of Rita’s special joys, Jerry Bonderenko, filled her life with happiness and love during their twenty years together. The untimely death of her life partner, Jerry, broke her heart. Following her loss of Jerry, she lived with her son Charlie, Deana, and Cooper for the last seven years of her life. Her daughter visited when she was able and within the last months of Rita’s life, Bernadette spoke to her mother three times a day. The passing of her father, commonly known as Daddy, was a difficult time for Rita as she was always a “daddy’s girl.” While Rita encountered other joys and sorrows, they occurred within the various occupations she found herself engaged in during her journey through life.
Rita…was Rita. She gave freely of her time, talents, energy, and creativity. She shared and taught her children about the gifts and challenges of life. She gave her daughter strength in facing challenges, practicality, and Rita’s creativity. Rita and her life taught her son determination, perseverance, and resiliency. Although not a member of First Presbyterian Church, Rita volunteered from days to years even bringing Jerry in to learn her sister’s method of cleaning. Craig Anton, former Sexton at FPC, became Rita’s pal in crime (taking smoke breaks), cleaning, decorating, and sharing laughter. Deep down Rita loved her family and friends, giving how and when she was able.
Survivors include her daughter, Bernadette (Matthew) Hemingway of Carson City, NV and her son Charlie Leiby (Deana Novozel) of Great Falls, MT; her Hemingway grandchildren are Zakary, Matilda, Elijah and Levi; her Leiby grandchildren are Kale and Cooper; her sister, Mary (Kurt) Fagenstrom of Great Falls; her brothers Melvin “Bud” Bergstrom of Laurel, MD and Nick Bergstrom of Phoenix, AZ; two nieces; and eight nephews. Her family and friends will miss and love her for who she was.
Preceding her in death were her parents, George and Helen Bergstrom; sister, Judith Ann Thody; both sets of grandparents, Hans and Phoebe Bergstrom and Nick and Maria Heser; and numerous aunts and uncles.
As per her wishes no service or celebration of life will take place.
Rita was…well Rita.
