Rita Virginia Potthoff (nee Coran), age 79 of Blaine, died of cancer on December 8, 2021.She was born to Fred and Josephine (Mastrodomenico) Coran on June 13, 1942, in International Falls, MN. She spent the first 18 years of her life there and graduated from the Falls High School in 1960. She graduated from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in 1965. She then went to work at the Cambridge State Hospital where she met her husband, Bruce Potthoff. They were married for 53 years (until her death), and have three adult children, Lydia, Stephanie, and Ben Potthoff.

Rita was an inspiration for the way she addressed the adverse events in her life, adjusted to the present, and moved on. She had many hobbies but invested the most time in flower gardening and genealogical research. She also enjoyed traveling, cooking, and baking.

She was preceded in death by parents Fred and Josephine Coran, and sister Irene Coran. In addition to Bruce, Lydia, Stephanie, and Ben, she is survived by sisters Regina Yaritz of Hudson, WI, Percy (Al) Eld of McGregor, brother James Coran of International Falls, and many nieces and nephews.

She will be cremated and, according to her wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Burial arrangements are pending.

If so desired, memorials in Rita’s honor may be given to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska, MN.