Rita Marie Vallier

She was born September 19, 1948 in Ishpeming, a daughter of the late Raymond and Merle (Maase) Juidici. She was a 1966 graduate of Gwinn High School and was a lifelong area resident.

On October 23, 1965 she married Gary Vallier at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Gwinn and they celebrated 54 years of marriage.

Rita had worked as a cleaner of buildings on the former KI Sawyer AFB and as a clerk at Merricks.

She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church and served on their Altar Society. She also volunteered at St. Vincent DePaul and the Food Pantry for many years. Her interests included baking, visiting her childhood getaways at Charlie Lake & Grand Marais and spending time with family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Rita will be remembered by her family as “The Rock”, always there to help when needed.

She is survived by her husband, Gary Vallier of Rock; three daughters, Michelle (Kenny) Dillinger of Little Lake, Julie Vallier of Gwinn and Brigette Vallier of Gwinn; grandchildren, Nicole (Justin) Gustafson, Cherelle (Levi) Burkett, Corey Young and Wyatt Young; great-grandchildren, Makayla, Jaelyn, Kennedy and Charley; siblings, Diane (Al) Filizetti, Louie (Sherry) Juidici, Colleen (Tom) Boote and Irene (Bob) Grage, all of Gwinn; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and numerous “fur” grandbabies.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2019 from 10 to 12 noon at the Canale-Gwinn Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be held at 12 noon in the funeral home with Rev. Allen Mott officiating. Interment will be held in the Gwinn Cemetery in the summer of 2020.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Gwinn St. Vincent DePaul Store.

Rita’s obituary may also be viewed at canalefuneral.com where memories may be shared.