Rita M. Hughes

Hughes, Rita M. Rita was born on February 5, 1930 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to William and Mary (née Borgo) Moll. She attended Rufus King High School and then Marquette University where she earned a teaching degree and met her future husband, Dick Hughes. They were married on August 16, 1952. They spent most of their married life in Grafton where they raised five children together. She was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and enjoyed volunteering and serving on committees. She also enjoyed substitute teaching at St. Joseph Catholic School where all five of her children attended. Rita was a devoted wife and mother and never missed a moment of being there when her family needed her. She tried to instill in her children her qualities of being a good listener, dispensing advice or lending a helping hand without judgement and always sticking up for the “underdog”. Rita loved playing her piano, birdwatching, crossword puzzles, reading a good mystery, annual family vacations in Minocqua, her daily phone chats with her sister, an occasional brandy old fashioned, and most of all, spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren; she especially adored the babies. The family would like to thank both the wonderful staff of Lasata Care Center and Heartland Hospice for the kindness, compassion and friendship they lovingly shared with Rita in the last months of her life. Rita was Born to Eternal Life March 18, 2020 at the age of 90 years. Loving mom of Mary (Charles) Hoffmann, Timothy Hughes, Kathleen (Tom) Helm and Patrick Hughes. Adoring grandma of Samantha Hughes, Andrew Hoffmann, Erin (Alex) Large, Michael (Autumn) Hoffmann, Brian (Danielle) Helm, Daniel Helm and Emily Kotecki. Dear great-grandma of Kaleb, Levi, Chase, Ashaya and Keshawna. Beloved sister of Judith (James) Francois and sister-in-law of Kay Moll. Longtime best friend of Lois Kuehn. Further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceded in death by her husband, Richard, son Richard “Dick”, great-grandson Sawyer Helm, brothers Richard (the late Ronnie) Moll, Thomas Moll, sister-in-law Marge (the late John) Armbruster and brother-in-law William (the late Lillian) Hughes. A private family service will be held at a later date. In the words of Rita Hughes, “KEEP YOUR ASS HOME”