To The Crookston Times readers,

It is with regret that CherryRoad Media announces the closing of The Crookston Times

Our company is dedicated to the preservation of community journalism. Since the purchase of our 1st paper in late-2020 to today, we have prided ourselves on our ability to fight the difficult battle that newspapers face in today’s digital society. Unfortunately, that battle cannot always be won.

The Crookston Times has struggled in recent years to find its footing in this community. Since purchasing The Crookston Times, CherryRoad Media has been unable to avoid financial losses every month. The paper was losing money when we bought it, and it continued to do so. We must now come to terms with the fact that we do not have a path forward to sustainability.

And we thank those who have supported us.

Rita Henriette Plante (Desrosier)

 Rita Henriette Plante (Desrosier) died on November 7, 2022, in Fort Myers, Fla. She was 85 years old.
 Rita was born in Kertsonville Township near Crookston on May 29, 1937. She was the daughter of Albert and Stella (Perreault) Desrosier. Albert and Stella had eight children. The family farmed in the Kertsonville area until the death of Stella in 1955. Albert moved the younger children including Rita to South St. Paul where she graduated from high school and returned to Crookston attending St. Francis nursing school. She met Vernon, who was in the Air Force, and the couple married January 30, 1960. Rita and Vernon raised their five children on the Plante farm near Gentilly until they retired in 1997. She also worked for Polk County Public Health for many years. Vern and Rita eventually sold the farm and enjoyed spending their summers on Lake of the Woods and their winters in Ft. Myers.
 Rita is survived by Vernon, her husband of 62 years; their children Neal (Lori Hagl) of Gentilly, Bradley (Birte Ibs) of Maple Grove, Kevin of Madison, Wis., Shelley Slator (Pat) of Eden Prairie, and Shawn (Julie Schmitz) of Eden Prairie. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Christopher, Josephine, Nicole, Tristan, Haley, Kyla, Beth, Alec, Bjorn and Jack; two great-grandchildren: Roman and Charlie. Rita is also survived by her sister Eloise Ganser of Stillwater and two brothers, Edward (Delores Brule) of Roseau and Robert of Richfield, and many nieces and nephews.
 Rita was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gentilly. She served on the church board, ran funeral committees and many other church related groups. She was a charter member of the local Catholic Daughters of America. Until her death Rita was active in her “Homemakers Club” where she had many long lasting, supportive relationships. She was also a member of St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Ft. Myers.
 Rita enjoyed cooking, traveling, spending time with friends and family and fishing on Lake of the Woods – Rita always seemed to catch the biggest fish!
 Rita was unendingly resilient in the face of loss, selfless in service to others, loving to all, and faithful to God.
 A funeral Mass will be held the morning of May 27, 2023, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gentilly.

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