Rita Giese

Rita Giese passed away on Wednesday, October 26th, 2022. She was an active member of the Mt Morris Pioneers 4-H club in her youth and leader with Coloma Dynamites 4-H club. She was a talented seamstress who excelled in designing and making clothing that she entered in the Waushara County Fair. She played bass clarinet in band and was in choir in high school. She was active in choral music all her life being a member of the Eighth Notes double quartet in Coloma and church choir at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Westfield. Gardening was always her passion and in winter she looked forward to spring when she could again till the soil and plant a new crop of garden delights. She enjoyed machine quilting and treasured the time she spent with her quilting sisters and the trips they took.

Rita moved with her family from Milwaukee to a small dairy farm in Mt Morris when she was six years old and learned the challenge, and joy, of walking the 2 miles to the one-room school (Progressive). She would often recount one bitterly cold morning that a neighbor came by with his horse-drawn sleigh piled with straw, blankets and his three kids, to take her and her brother to the tiny school.

Rita worked in finance as a loan officer. She was with the former M&I Peoples Bank Coloma and M&I Bank Wautoma until her retirement. She worked with Stevens Accounting in Wautoma. She enjoyed the many personal friendships with her customers.

Rita is survived by her brother Pat (Diana) Connolly; her children Theresa Brandner, Andrea Bielby, and Brian (Lori) Fravel; grandchildren Jen, Mike, Kathryn (David), Pat, Nick (Bailey), Jack (Jamie), Logan (Emma), Angie (Gabe), Dewey, and great grandchildren; stepchildren Mike, Mark, Kay, and Paul.

Rita was preceded in death by her loving husband and our awesome stepdad Tom Giese; and her wonderful sons Shawn Fravel and Kean Fravel.

A memorial visitation for Rita will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022 from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. at Steinhaus-Holly Funeral Home in Westfield.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial for Rita will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Westfield with Father Savio Yerasani officiating.  In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to the family.

“Oh what a beautiful morning! Oh what a beautiful day! I’ve got a beautiful feeling, everything’s going my way!”  We love you Mom.

Please take a moment to view the online Tribute Wall.  Send your condolences or share a memory of Rita with her family & friends.