Rita Elizabeth Schoeneman

Rita E. Schoeneman, age 86 of Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin entered peacefully into heaven on Friday, May 11, 2012 at Meadow View in Baraboo, Wisconsin with her family by her side.

Public visitation will be held at the Picha Funeral Home in Lake Delton, Wisconsin on Saturday, May 19, 2012 from 9:00 A.M. until 12:00 Noon.

Rita was born November 19, 1925 in Germany, the daughter of Phillip and Margarete (Heising) Schmidt. She resided there and worked as a switchboard operator during WWII until she met the love of her life Frank A. Schoeneman Jr., who at the same time was serving in the US Army. They wed January 27, 1951 and lived in Chicago, IL. Frank worked with his father in the family business, Frank A. Schoeneman & Sons, LTD, as a civil engineer and surveyor. They had one child, a daughter. Rita enjoyed traveling every weekend to the Wisconsin Dells area to spend time with family and friends until they made this their permanent residence in the summer of 1975. Rita played an advocate role for the Republican Party both in Wisconsin and Illinois. She spent many hours volunteering for the Lioness Club and was best known as Mrs. Santa Claus at Fischer’s Supper Club. She was a worldwide traveler and will best be remembered for her outgoing personality and endless energy.

Rita is survived by her daughter, Lynn (James) Steyer and grandchildren Rebecca (Jason) Reed and Jimmy (Debbie) Spencer all of Wisconsin Dells as well as family residing in Germany.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Frank.