Rita Marie Griffin
Marriages
Dan Griffin
Obituaries
Thr Daily Sentinel page 6C - May 14, 2023
Rita was born in Erskine,
Minnesota, to Dr. William
& Loretta Kostick and
spent her childhood in
Fertile, Minnesota, with
her parents and four
siblings. Rita worked in
her father’s office (he was the only physician in Fertile)
often accompanying him on house calls and setting her
course into the medical field.
Rita attended the University of North Dakota,
obtained her RN degree and married David Polzin with
whom she had four children. Following their divorce
Rita moved to Grand Junction in 1982 to become the
Director of Nursing at Community Hospital. In 1983
she met and married local attorney Dan Griffin, they
had 39 adventure filled years together. After forty
years of nursing, she ended her career as a home team
manager for what is now HopeWest Hospice.
Rita was a happy, outgoing person who made friends
easily; a good bridge player with treasured friends
she made playing as well as her friends in her “Lunch
Bunch.”
Recently Rita received great enjoyment from her
great-granddaughters, Mila (4), and Ali (2).
Preceded in death by her parents and infant son
Thomas Polzin, Rita is survived by her husband, Dan;
children, Cathy Polzin, Nancy Polzin, Tim (Mary)
Polzin, Elizabeth (Michael) Gibbs, Doug (Heidi)
Griffin; grandchildren, Jennifer (Nick) Polzin, Gabe
Griffin, Alex Griffin; 3 step-grandchildren, 5 step great
grandchildren, siblings, Barbara (Tom) Teresi, Bill
(Ilze) Kostick, Joe (Aide) Kostick, Mary DuFour; and
numerous nephews and nieces.
Rita was fun, happy, and full of giggles and laughter,
with beautiful blue eyes and a wonderful smile.
Since Rita celebrated her life with a Celebration of
Life party attended by over 100 loved ones, no public
services are planned. There will be a private family
service later this summer in Fertile, MN.
The family thanks all their friends for the love and
kindness extended during Rita’s illness. The family is
extremely grateful to the people at HopeWest Hospice
for their kindness and compassion.
Donations may be made in Rita’s memory to
HopeWest Hospice, 3090 N. 12th St., Unit B, Grand
Junction, CO 81506.
A more complete obituary is available at www.
martinmortuary.com
