Rita Rose Harms

 We said good-bye to our beloved Rita Rose Harms on Friday January 15, 2021 at the age of 94. Rita was born on August 21, 1926 to John and Rose (Fitzgerald) Howard and raised on a farm in Bear Creek, Sauk County WI, known as Loreto Ridge.

Rooted in an Irish Catholic family of ten, Rita endured many hardships along the way yet found joy in the pure expression of dance. She and her siblings were known to have moved across the dance floor with such ease and grace and it became a fabric within her youth and continued throughout most of her life.

She was a graduate of Spring Green High School and later on was the smiling face behind the counter at Wisconsin Dairies (Foremost) for many years. Bowling wasn't just a hobby for Rita for she was on a team sponsored by Matousek Motors that traveled around to several state championship tournaments. St Patrick's Day was always a special day of celebration in her Irish family. Friends and family would gather together at Drea's filled with laughter, music and dance.  

On June 30, 1956, Rita was united in marriage with her best friend, partner and love of her life, Jerome (Jug) Harms. Together they traveled with friends and family exploring and experiencing life's adventures and spent every summer together at their lake home in the northern woods of Wisconsin on Blueberry Lake.

 Rita had an extraordinary close relationship with her siblings and was a special Auntie to all her nieces and nephews showing interest, support and love in their lives. Rita had spunk, was vigorous and always knew how to have fun. She would be the first to arrive and the last to leave. She took pride in her appearance, perfectly put together from head (hair) to toe. Rita always had a smile, a kind word, was gracious and generous to all!

She will be deeply missed and yet her beautiful spirit will continue to shine and smile down upon us and warm our hearts forever!

Rita is survived by her sisters: Mary Douglas, Jessie Conlin and Patricia Schafer; sisters-in-law: Mary Jane Howard, Delores and Marcella Harms; brother-in-law: Arend Harms along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jerome (Jug) Harms; her brothers: Patrick, Mike, Bob (Carol) Howard; sisters: June (Charlie) Montgomery, Bessie (Paul) Kraemer, Cecelia (Alois) Gruber. brothers-in-law: Joe Douglas, Peter Conlin, Donald Schafer, Wilbert Harms and Gilbert Muchow; sister-in-law: Arleda Muchow.

Visitation held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Reedsburg on Saturday, January 23, 2021 from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. The Mass of Christian burial will be held in her honor at 11:00 A.M. with Father Patrick Wendler as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery in Reedsburg. In lieu of flowers a memorial to Sacred Heart Church or Sacred Heart School will be appreciated.

There will be a livestream of the mass for anyone who is unable to attend and watch from the comfort of your own home. If you go to the Farber Funeral Home website on Rita’s obituary, you will be able to follow the service on the livestreaming link.

The Farber Funeral Home, Reedsburg, WI, is assisting the family.

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