Rita J. Stieber, 96, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2026, under the care of St. Croix Hospice at Pride TLC Therapy & Living Campus, Weston.
She was born March 25, 1930, in Marathon, daughter of the late Elmer and Eleanor (Erdmann) Leitermann. On July 1, 1950, she married Charles Stieber at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon and he preceded her in death on January 5, 2015.
Rita dedicated over 40 years to volunteering at St. Anthony Spirituality Center. She was an active member of the Lay Franciscans and the PCCW and served St. Mary Catholic Church in Marathon as a choir member, lay minister, cafeteria worker and playground supervisor. Some of her hobbies included bowling (state tournament), ceramics, and embroidery. Rita and Charles loved traveling in their retirement. They traveled all over the U.S. and Canada, enjoying an Alaskan cruise on one of their trips. They also visited Europe with fellow farmers, checking out how German farming methods were different from ours.
Survivors include her children, Cathy (Dave) Joswiak, Huntley, Illinois; Fran (Ed) Flanders, Rothschild; Lynette (Fran) Heil, Rib Mountain; Don (Lynn) Stieber, Marathon; grandchildren, Joel (Laura) Stieber, Greg (Katrina) Stieber, Dianne (Paul) Leffel, Nicole (Chris Daniels) Joswiak, Stephannie (Nathan) Parris, Nathan (Cat Paccasassi) Joswiak, Becky Flanders, Chad Flanders, Kelly (Jason) Schaeffer, Amy (Mike Fleishmann) Peter, David (Telia) Peter, Ben (Lisa) Heil and Adam (Hannah) Heil; 18 great-grandchildren; sister, Charlotte Seubert; sister-in-law, Henrietta Stieber; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Besides her parents and husband, Charles, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Myron Stieber, brother and sister-in-law, Allan (Marcy) Leitermann, brothers-in-law, Joseph Seubert Jr., James Stieber and Jerome (Mary) Stieber.
The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 9, 2026, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon. Rev. Msgr. Joseph Diermeier will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service all at St. Mary Catholic Church, Marathon.
