Rita Marie Sweetman

Rita Marie Sweetman, aged 88, passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2024. Rita was born in Racine on March 19, 1936, daughter of the late Edward and Myrtle (nee: Harvey) Kanyuh.

Rita was a proud graduate of Wm. Horlick High School's Class of 1954. On August 31, 1957, Rita was united in marriage to the love of her life, Jack P. Sweetman. They raised three daughters and shared forty beautiful years together before Jack passed away in 1997. Rita was a member of St. Rita Catholic Church and sang in their choir. Always willing to help, she volunteered with Cardiac Capers, Festival of Trees, Rotary Prom, Meals on Wheels, and took care of the flowers on the grounds at St. Rita. She will be remembered fondly for her sense of humor, her many acts of kindness, her love for dancing, sunbathing, gardening, cooking and baking, traveling around the world (having traveled to all seven continents), and her love for her dogs. Above all, it was her family that gave her the most joy.

Rita will be dearly missed by her daughters, Jill (Michael) Stackman, Sandra (Timothy) Stroyne; grandchildren, Emily, Mikayla, Megan, Jack, Brandon, and Gregory; great-grandson, Joseph; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends, especially Angie Uvelli, her best friend of 82 years. In addition to her parents and husband, Rita was also preceded in death by her daughter, Erin Kovac, and brothers, Myron and Edward Kanyuh.

Visitation will be held on Thursday April 11 at 10:30 am at St. Rita Catholic Church, 4339 Douglas Ave., followed by a funeral service at 11:30 am. Interment will follow immediately at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the National Aphasia Association https://aphasia.org/ have been suggested.

Finally, the family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to her current care givers Dominique, Erica, Arionna, Maryann, Madison and Malaya and all others who have given their compassionate care, support and kindness through the years.