Rita A. Berning, 79, of Owatonna, died Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at her home after a 20 year courageous battle with cancer. Rita was born January 31, 1938 in Blooming Prairie, Minnesota the daughter of Charles and Albina (Kubista) Reyant. She graduated from West Concord High School in 1955 and attended St. Mary's School of Nursing in Rochester and earned her LPN degree in 1958. Rita was united in marriage to James Berning Sr. on September 24, 1960 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church by Monsignor Kasal. They lived in Adrian, MN and returned to Owatonna in 1965. Rita was a caregiver throughout her life working as a LPN at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester and Owatonna Nursing Home, dietician at Cedarview Nursing Home and Oak Hill Nursing Home both in Owatonna, daycare provider for over fifty children for many years, and housekeeper for ten years for St. Joseph Parish in Owatonna. Rita was a life member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She enjoyed gardening, baking, cooking, canning, and was very artistic. Rita was proud of her Bohemian heritage and her homemade raisin doughnuts and kolaches were always enjoyed by her family and friends. She was a collector of villages, loved going on car rides, and attending the casino. Rita is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, James Berning Sr. of Owatonna; five children, Kathy (and Riley) Withrow of Hutchinson, KS, Cheryl Berning of Fort Collins, CO, Father James Berning of Winona, MN, Julie Magee of Fort Collins, CO and John Berning of Owatonna; grandchildren, Ryan and Michele Withrow, Tony Withrow, Brandy Cordova (special friend, Tony Moreno), Erica Cordova; great grandchildren, Skyla and Landon Moreno, and one on the way; brother, Luverne Reyant of Helena, MT; sister, Barbara Antoine of California; brothers-in-law, Ernie Wood of Las Vegas, NV, Alvin Berning of Luverne, MN, and Ed Berning of Adrian, MN; sister-in-law, Marie Smeins of Luverne, MN; aunts, Harriet Jirousek and Eileen Kubista both of Owatonna; many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; four siblings, Richard Reyant, Monica Salucco, Regina Wood, and Maynard Reyant, and extended family. Visitation will be at Michaelson Funeral Home, Owatonna on Monday, August 7, 2017 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and one hour prior to the Funeral Mass. A prayer service will be held 6:30 PM Monday at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will be offered on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Owatonna with Father James Berning as Main Celebrant and many concelebrating priests. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Owatonna. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Allina Hospice for their loving care. Visitation: 08/07/2017 16:00 08/07/2017 19:00 Service: and one hour prior to the service at the church. A prayer service will be held 6:30 PM Monday at the funeral home. 08/08/2017 10:30