Obituary for Rhonda Letze
Rhonda passed away surrounded by her husband and kids on September 3, 2022 at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.
Visitation will be from 5-9 pm Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Funeral service will be at 1:00 PM, Thursday, September 8, 2022, at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown with Reverend Cheryl Rondeau-Bassett officiating.
Honorary Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Rhonda’s nephews Doe Jankoom, Xander Sheehan, Daniel Letze, Matt Magee, and close family friends Jordan and Drew Bakken.
Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Watertown, SD.
Rhonda (Magee) Letze was born March 26, 1956, to Richard and Frieda (Wolfe) Magee in Bismarck, ND. She attended school in Watertown, SD and graduated from Watertown High School in 1974. Following high school Rhonda worked at Woolworth’s with her lifelong friend, Connie (Kittelson) Masloski.
Rhonda met her husband of 46 years, Richard Letze, while he was on leave from the US Navy. They married November 13, 1976, in Watertown, SD. Rhonda traveled with Richard to several naval basis from 1976-1980, namely Australia and Japan, stopping in several places along the way. During their time overseas, Rhonda and Rick spent time spearfishing, bathing in the sun, and enjoying the outdoors. Rhonda returned to the states in 1980 and gave birth to their first child, Jessica, on April 18, 1981. Kristin followed on June 17, 1983, and Patrick, who was a surprise, on September 19, 1989.
While raising her children Rhonda worked 2 part-time jobs. Her position at the Health Food Center of Watertown went from part to full time where she continued to work for a total of 35 years. She loved her work at the Health Food Center and helping the community of Watertown heal from any ailments they had. During her time at the Health Food Center, she received the award for Employee of the Year from the Watertown Business and Professional Women/USA in 2006.
In her free time Rhonda enjoyed gardening, planting flowers, cooking and making lefsa and kuchen, and spending time with her kids and grandkids. Rhonda gained her first grandkids Karly and Jessie Krueger when Kristin and Brad married in June of 2007. Her grandsons Trent and Reid arrived in June of 2010 and September of 2013. Her newest granddaughter, Hailey Letze, was born in May of 2021 following Patrick’s marriage to Miranda (Haugen) in August of 2019. She loved spoiling her grandkids with sugar and toys every time they came to visit. Her cabinets and fridge were sure to be stocked with your favorite item.
Rhonda developed issues initially thought to be Parkinson’s in 2010. A true diagnosis for her neurological disease was never determined. She fought with the unknown disease until the time of her death following a diagnosis of cancer. Rhonda chose to spend the remainder of her time with her family and friends rather than fighting the cancer that was already in a late stage. Rhonda’s body couldn’t stop the progression of the neurological disease, but she managed to push through the constant pain. Her stubborn personality and perseverance left her family and friends astounded daily.
Grateful for sharing her life are her husband, Richard Letze, children Jessica Letze of Sioux Falls, Kristin (Brad) Krueger of Harrisburg and Patrick (Miranda) Letze of Aberdeen. Grandchildren Karly Krueger (Sioux Falls), Jessie Krueger (Woonsocket), Trent and Reid Krueger (Harrisburg), and Hailey Letze (Aberdeen). Siblings Myron (Boon) Magee (Watertown), Bruce (Georgia) Magee (Aberdeen).
She is preceded in death by her parents Richard and Frieda Magee and brother, Richard “Doyle” Magee all of Watertown.
Visitation will be from 5-9 pm Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Funeral service will be at 1:00 PM, Thursday, September 8, 2022, at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown with Reverend Cheryl Rondeau-Bassett officiating.
Honorary Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be Rhonda’s nephews Doe Jankoom, Xander Sheehan, Daniel Letze, Matt Magee, and close family friends Jordan and Drew Bakken.
Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Watertown, SD.
Rhonda (Magee) Letze was born March 26, 1956, to Richard and Frieda (Wolfe) Magee in Bismarck, ND. She attended school in Watertown, SD and graduated from Watertown High School in 1974. Following high school Rhonda worked at Woolworth’s with her lifelong friend, Connie (Kittelson) Masloski.
Rhonda met her husband of 46 years, Richard Letze, while he was on leave from the US Navy. They married November 13, 1976, in Watertown, SD. Rhonda traveled with Richard to several naval basis from 1976-1980, namely Australia and Japan, stopping in several places along the way. During their time overseas, Rhonda and Rick spent time spearfishing, bathing in the sun, and enjoying the outdoors. Rhonda returned to the states in 1980 and gave birth to their first child, Jessica, on April 18, 1981. Kristin followed on June 17, 1983, and Patrick, who was a surprise, on September 19, 1989.
While raising her children Rhonda worked 2 part-time jobs. Her position at the Health Food Center of Watertown went from part to full time where she continued to work for a total of 35 years. She loved her work at the Health Food Center and helping the community of Watertown heal from any ailments they had. During her time at the Health Food Center, she received the award for Employee of the Year from the Watertown Business and Professional Women/USA in 2006.
In her free time Rhonda enjoyed gardening, planting flowers, cooking and making lefsa and kuchen, and spending time with her kids and grandkids. Rhonda gained her first grandkids Karly and Jessie Krueger when Kristin and Brad married in June of 2007. Her grandsons Trent and Reid arrived in June of 2010 and September of 2013. Her newest granddaughter, Hailey Letze, was born in May of 2021 following Patrick’s marriage to Miranda (Haugen) in August of 2019. She loved spoiling her grandkids with sugar and toys every time they came to visit. Her cabinets and fridge were sure to be stocked with your favorite item.
Rhonda developed issues initially thought to be Parkinson’s in 2010. A true diagnosis for her neurological disease was never determined. She fought with the unknown disease until the time of her death following a diagnosis of cancer. Rhonda chose to spend the remainder of her time with her family and friends rather than fighting the cancer that was already in a late stage. Rhonda’s body couldn’t stop the progression of the neurological disease, but she managed to push through the constant pain. Her stubborn personality and perseverance left her family and friends astounded daily.
Grateful for sharing her life are her husband, Richard Letze, children Jessica Letze of Sioux Falls, Kristin (Brad) Krueger of Harrisburg and Patrick (Miranda) Letze of Aberdeen. Grandchildren Karly Krueger (Sioux Falls), Jessie Krueger (Woonsocket), Trent and Reid Krueger (Harrisburg), and Hailey Letze (Aberdeen). Siblings Myron (Boon) Magee (Watertown), Bruce (Georgia) Magee (Aberdeen).
She is preceded in death by her parents Richard and Frieda Magee and brother, Richard “Doyle” Magee all of Watertown.