Rita Ann Kaiser

Rita Ann Kaiser, 69, of Herman, MN, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Rita was born on February 11, 1957, in Fergus Falls, MN, to John and Anna Denoble. Rita lived in Norcross and graduated from Herman Norcross High School in 1975. On November 28, 1974, she married Mike Bertram, and together they were blessed with four children and made their home in Herman. On October 7, 1989, Rita married Steve “Pete” Kaiser. Together, they continued to make their home in Herman, where Rita created a place that was always filled with love, laughter, family, and friends.

Above all else, Rita treasured her family. Her greatest blessing was becoming a mother and grandmother, and this is where she received her special name, Dede. She loved nothing more than having her family by her side. She cherished when her grandchildren would stop by for a visit or gather around the table for a family meal. She rarely missed a sporting event or any other activity her children or grandchildren were involved in. Being present for the people she loved was one of the greatest joys of her life.

Rita’s home was truly an open door. All the neighborhood kids knew they were welcome and affectionately thought of Rita as their second mom. She treated the neighborhood children and her children’s friends just like they were her own. You could always tell who was at the Kaiser home by the number of shoes by the door and bicycles scattered across the lawn.

Rita’s love for God and her church was unwavering. She taught her children and grandchildren about the love of God and the Bible and found great joy in teaching Sunday school at church. Her faith was an important part of her life, and she was grateful for the opportunity to share it with the people she loved.

Rita touched many lives through the many things she did throughout her life. She owned and operated R&R Fabrics and also worked at REM House, the Senior Center, and Morris Floral.

Rita loved the changing seasons and took great pride in decorating both the inside and outside of her home. You never had to wonder what holiday was approaching when you drove by the Kaiser home. She loved making each season special and sharing that joy with everyone around her.

Rita loved going on scrapbook trips making cards and of course, coffee with the ladies at AJ’s every morning. Flowers were another one of Rita’s great passions. She loved the flowers on her deck, her flower gardens, and especially her fairy garden. Each grandchild had their own fairy garden, and she even created them for some of the children in town. Rita took tremendous pride in her gardens, and if you ever had a question about flowers, gardening, or how to grow something, Rita was the person to ask.

Rita was known for her beautiful smile, positive attitude, and willingness to help others. She was always one of the first to jump in whenever someone needed a helping hand. Her contagious laugh and warm smile could brighten any room, and she had a special way of making everyone feel welcome and loved.

Rita will be deeply missed by her husband, Steve “Pete” Kaiser; her children, Missy (Ryan) Bright; Lisa (Scott) Libbesmeier; Scott (Jamie) Bertram; and Amy (Jason) Lennes; her nine grandchildren: Boe (Terianne), Macee, Tristin, Anna, Tatum, Makayla, Kaden, Hayley, and Izzy; and her great-granddaughter, Miley.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Anna Denoble.

Rita leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, laughter, family, faith, and a home where everyone always had a place. Her smile, contagious laugh, generous heart, beautiful gardens, and unconditional love will live on in the many lives she touched.

She will be forever loved, deeply missed, and always remembered.

A Private Family Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Herman with Rev. Cheryl Berg officiating. 

Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery, rural Herman.

A Celebration of Life (open to the public) will be held Saturday, September 26, from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Herman Community Center in Herman. 

To sign the online guestbook, watch the video tribute, livestream or service recording visit <www.bainbridgefuneralhome.com>.