Rita Marie Herald

Rita Marie Herald, age 93, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, on January 10, 2026, in Duluth, Minnesota. She was born June 3, 1932 in Chicago, Illinois, and moved at a young age with her parents to Duluth, where she was raised and made her lifelong home.

Rita attended Sacred Heart School and later Cathedral High School. She live the majority of her Lakewood, Minnesota, where she built a life centered on family, hard work, service to others, and a deep love for animals.

Rita married Charles Timm in 1952 and had three children. She married her second husband, Daniel Herald and together they founded Arrowhead Dog Training Academy, reflecting one of Rita's great passions. Dogs were a central part of her life, raising Golden Retrievers and later Border Collies and competing with them in obedience and agility, forming lasting friendships within the dog training community.

While raising her children, Rita work in the family grocery business, Community Market. Where she was well known and deeply connected to the people she served. When the market was sold, she became an engraver at Security Jewelers, where she took pride in her craftsmanship. After retiring, she devoted many years to volunteering at Benedictine Health Center and the Damiano Soup Kitchen, quietly serving others with kindness and generosity.

Rita also valued friendship and staying active. For many years, she participated in water aerobics with a close-knit group of women who proudly called themselves the Mermaids, sharing laughter, companionship, and countless memories.

Endlessly creative, Rita was always making crafts and gifts, finding joy in creating something special for the people she loved. Her hands were rarely still and her heart was always open.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Edmund Gajewski and Florence (Gutkowski) Gajewski; her siblings, Kathy, Danny, Dick and Joan; and her grandson, Benjamin.

Rita is survived by her son, David (Shelly) Herald; her daughters, Diane (Jim) Craig and Donna Andrews; her grandchildren, Jeremy Craig, William (Kristen) Brown, Jami (Michael) Panula, Robin Brown, Josh (Anita) Johansson, Ashley (Andy) Sheerger, and Scott Hemmingsen; her great-grandchildren, Madison, Zoe, Oaklee, Everly, Ailsa, Henry, Hazel Marie, Michael Jr, Bella and Ailee; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In accordance with her wishes, Rita will be cremated. A Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2026 from 5-7pm at Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second Street, Duluth. The Visitation will continue at 10am on Friday, July 17, 2026 with a Life Affirming Celebration scheduled for 11am at Dougherty Funeral Home.

Rita will be remembered for her strong work ethic, her generosity of spirit, her love of animals, her friendships, and the care she showed to everyone around her. She leaves behind a legacy of devotion, creativity, and compassion that will live on through her family and all who were fortunate enough to know her.