Rita A. (Drowatzky) Schroeder

Rita Ann Schroeder, 89, of Sparta, passed away Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at her home. She was born on April 19, 1928 to the late Arthur and Anna (Joffer) Drowatzky in Sparta, WI.

Rita grew up in Wilton and graduated from Wilton High School. In 1947 she was united in marriage to Harold Schroeder in Wilton, where they resided with their family until 1969, when they moved to Sparta. Rita worked at the Post office and Tillmans in Wilton. She also worked for H&R Block in Sparta. Rita was the bookkeeper for Schroeder Construction. Upon Harold’s passing in 2004, Rita became owner of RA Schroeder Construction until retiring from the business in 2016. Rita enjoyed gardening, watching birds, reading, and yard work.

Rita is survived by her six children: David (Sharon) Schroeder, of Columbia, MD; Don (Pat) Schroeder, of Sparta; Richard (Joyce) Schroeder, of La Crosse; Jayne (Mike) Harris, of Sparta; Joanne (Norm) Stanek, of Sparta; and Tom (Julie) Schroeder, of Lake Mills, WI. She is further survived by her 13 grandchildren: Wendy, Ryan (Lisa), Sommer (Bill), Casey (Misty), Courtney (Jermey), Cory, Maria (Bob), Neil, Kristina (Michael), Michelle (Jesse), Jordan (Ali), Matt (Tara), and Ashley (Joe); 21 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Margaret (Linus) Heintz; Ramona Schroeder and Thelma Dunnum; and two step-grandchildren, Paul (Sally) Harris and Christen (Calvin) Lockhart.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; parents, Arthur and Anna; her brother, Linus (Alice) Drowatzky; two sisters, Loretta (Alvin) Jackson; and Grace (Lloyd) VonGunten; and several brothers and sisters-in-law.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 23, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with Father Keith Kitzhaber officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials can be directed to AS/AP Cat Shelter in Sparta or to a charity of your choosing in Rita’s name.

Family and friends are invited to call at the church on Friday, from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. Online condolences may be offered to the Schroeder family at www.schanhoferfh.com.

The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

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