Rita G. Olsen, age 97, of Sheboygan, passed away on September 16, 2025 at Sheboygan Progressive Health Services. Rita was born in Sheboygan on January 8, 1928, the daughter of the late Jacob “Jake” and Angela (Brotz) Klein.
She attended St. Peter Claver Parish grade school, graduating from 8th grade in 1941. Rita then attended Central High School graduating in 1945 at which time she began working at Armour Leather Co. as a secretary, where she met a returning U.S. Marine and on September 7, 1946 she married that marine, Wesley Olsen, at St. Peter Claver Church.
Rita was an active lifelong member of St. Peter Claver Parish. She served as President and Treasurer of its Christian Women’s Society, along with serving on many of its committees. She was also active on the Septemberfest committees, fish frys, bingo and was a Girl Scout leader for 11 years.
When she returned to work, it was as its first office secretary at St. Peter Claver Parish for 25 years, retiring in 1988.
Rita was an avid Milwaukee Brewers fan, attending as many games as possible in a season, and going down to Arizona for their spring training. She also enjoyed golfing, bowling, reading, playing cards, traveling, doing crafts and raising roses.
She was presently a member of the New Life Choir and the Alleycats.
Survivors include two daughters, Barbara (Dennis) Bastil and Mary Messner of Sheboygan; nine grandchildren, Julie (Jon) Buchholz of Edgerton, WI, John (Natalie) Olsen of Holmer, WI, Denise (Al) Rick of Sheboygan, Lisa (Paul) Wagner of Plymouth, WI, Brian (Samantha) Bastil of Sheboygan, Matthew (Amy) Antes of Sheboygan, Joshua (Angie) Antes of Waukesha, Kristen Besaw of Sheboygan, and Katie (Travis) Severson of Sheboygan; 19 great-grandchildren, Nolan, Gretta, Emmitt and Hazel Rick of Sheboygan, Madeline and William Buchholz of Edgerton, Selena Antes, Adanta Besaw of Sheboygan, Wesley Olsen of Holmen, WI, Lucas and Jacob Wagner of Plymouth, Briella, Brayden and Declan Antes of Waukesha, and Ethan and Elliot Antes of Sheboygan, Max and Emma Bastil of Sheboygan, Kinley, Cadence and Kali Severson of Sheboygan; one great-great grandchild, Mya Serrano of Sheboygan.
Rita was preceded in death by her husband Wes of 67 years in 2013; sons Michael and Joseph; her parents; her father- and mother-in-law; three sisters and three brothers-in-law. She is also survived by many other relatives and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Peter Claver Church, 1439 S. 12th St., Sheboygan, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025 with visitation at church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery following the Mass. In lieu of flowers a Memorial Fund is being established in her name.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice and the staff at Sheboygan Progressive Health Services for their care.
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