Rita Eleanora Kehoe, 85, of East Troy, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2019, at Glenwood in Whitewater. She was born on Oct. 31, 1933, in Milwaukee, to the late William and Apolonia (Brozek) Lassa.
She was raised on the south side of Milwaukee with her sisters, Dorothy and Kathleen.
Rita graduated from Bay View High School and attended Cardinal Stritch University. She continued her education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
In 1959, Rita married Dennis William Kehoe, of Watertown, at the St. Josephat’s Basillica in Milwaukee. She was a dedicated educator for 35 years and retired from the Mukwonago School District.
Rita was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Whitewater and St. Mary Catholic Church in Palmyra. She and Denny were active in the Latin American Mission Program.
Rita was proud of her Polish heritage and had traveled to Poland. She enjoyed traveling, music, cooking, reading and spending time with her sister, Dorothy and her husband, Harry. Rita loved spending time with her children and their families.
She is survived by her husband; children, Rita (Parker) Dow, William (Heather) Kehoe, Maria (David) Hinners; grandchildren, Heather (David) Buehler, Holly Dow, Morganne (Andrew) Seiner, Shannon Kehoe, Meghan Kehoe, Alex Hinners, Eric Hinners; and great-granddaughter, Seraphine Buehler.
She was further preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Mitchell.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 15, from at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 550 N. Newcomb St., Whitewater.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 16, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Palmyra. Visitation will take place from 10 a.m. until the time of services at the church.
Burial will be in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Palmyra.
Donations can be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rita’s honor.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Glenwood and Marquart Hospice for their continued care for both Rita and Denny. They would also like to thank the staff and parish of St. Mary Catholic Church and St. Patrick Catholic Church for their continued support.
Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family.
