RITA M. SCHULZE

July 7, 1941 - May 10, 2014

Rita M. Schulze, age 72, of Caledonia, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on May 10th, 2014 at Gundersen Medical Center, LaCrosse, WI. She was born July 7, 1941 in LaCrosse to Leo and Verna (Davy) Graf. Rita attended country school, St. Mary's Central Grade School, and graduated from Loretto High School in 1959. She worked at Skemp Grandview Clinic in LaCrosse and she married Gene Schulze May 23, 1964 at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Caledonia. Rita was a homemaker and cared for her children. Later in life she worked as an aide at Caledonia Elementary School. She was a member of St. Mary's Parish and its Council of Catholic Women and she was active in MCCL. She enjoyed photography, walking, cooking, and spending time with her family. She is survived by her husband, Gene of Caledonia; her daughters, Julie (Dan) Wiebke of Onalaska, WI and Jodi (Bill) Petersen of La Crescent, MN: 6 grandchildren, Mara, Amanda, and Melissa Wiebke, and Hannah, Isaac, and Samuel Petersen; 3 sisters, Anna Marie (Jim) McCormick of Caledonia, Loretta (Norval) Ladsten of Mabel, MN, and Kathy Nelson of Caledonia; 2 brothers, John (Judy) Graf of LaCrescent and David Graf (Roxane Adams) of Cave Creek, AZ; brother and sisters in law, Leland "Gunny" Schulze of Brownsville, MN, Joanne Schulze and Dorothy Schulze, both of Caledonia. She was preceded in death by her son Jason, her parents, brothers and sisters in law, Steve Nelson, Elaine and Paul Wilhelm, Garland Schulze and Anne Schulze. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am, Wed., May 14th, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Caledonia. Father Matt Fasnacht will officiate and burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Caledonia. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm on Tues., at McCormick Funeral Home, 205 E. Main, Caledonia, where a prayer service will be held at 7 pm. Visitation will also be from 9:30-10:30 am Wed. morning before the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferrred. Alzheimer's was the thief that stole you from all of us. Our long goodbye is over. You are free at last. May God bless and keep you until we meet again.