Rita M. (Schommer) Kirst

Rita M. (Schommer) Kirst, age 88, of Kewaskum, passed away on Sunday, October 9, 2022 at Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa.

Rita was born on May 23, 1934 in Dacada, Wisconsin as the fifth child to the late Raymond and Loretta (nee Watry) Schommer.

When Rita was in high school, she offered to be a pen pal to the selfless soldiers that were serving their country in the time of war. The soldier she was writing to was named George Kirst. When George was home for a short duration after receiving his first Purple Heart award, Rita attended the party that was thrown for him. Against her mother’s advice, Rita walked up to George and introduced herself as the girl who had been writing to him. George grabbed her in his arms and said: “Let’s catch up on everything.” Later on, George asked Rita three important questions: “Will you keep writing to me?”, “Will you wait for me?”, and lastly, the most important – “If I gave you a ring, would you marry me?” And the rest is history. George and Rita wed on April 19, 1952, and he truly was the love of her life.

Rita worked at Regalware in West Bend before retiring in 1990. Before George’s passing in 2018, Rita and George enjoyed travelling - especially to Las Vegas – as well as the serenity of fishing and living on Crooked Lake in Sheboygan County.

Rita has three children left behind to retell all her stories, including Thomas (Kat) Kirst of Richwood, Texas, Richard (Son) Kirst of Tacoma, Washington, and Linda (Rick) Johnson of Sparta; as well as 7 grandchildren, Randy, Eric and Katie Johnson, James and Victoria Kirst, Kerry and Kaley LaRose; one great-grandson, Zachary; and one great-granddaughter, Sofia.

Rita’s family has a celebration of life planned to take place at her house on Sunday, October 16, 2022 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., at 550 Knights Avenue, Kewaskum, Wisconsin – 53040.

Memorials to the American Heart Association in memory of Rita are greatly appreciated.

Myrhum-Patten Funeral and Cremation Service has been entrusted with Rita’s arrangements. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.