Rita Gahnz Ronnenberg

Rita Gahnz-Ronnenberg, 82, of Cochrane died peacefully at home Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016. Rita was born July 31, 1934, in Waumandee, Wis,. to Arthur and Marion (Mitchell) Dworschak. She attended St. Boniface Catholic School and graduated from Cochrane High School in 1952. In 1954, she married Melvin Gahnz, and they had eight children. They later divorced. On May 10, 2007, Rita married Milton Ronnenberg. Rita took great pride in caring for her family and managing their home. She was employed at Knitcraft in Winona, where she retired in 1998. She engaged in many volunteer opportunities. Rita had a strong faith and was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, where she was active as a lector, choir member, PCCW member and quilter. Her passions in life were sewing, knitting, crocheting, quilting, gardening, dancing, bowling and tending to the birds in her neighborhood. She especially enjoyed supporting her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, in their school activities. Rita is survived by her husband, Milton Ronnenberg; children, Jean Gibbons, Gayle Maule, Jeff (Cathy), Cindy (Mike) Everson, Barb (Paul) Schmidtknecht, Craig (Ray), Scott (Kris), Nicki (Tim) Drazkowski; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; five stepchildren; nine stepgrandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; and four brothers; and six sisters. She was preceded in death by her parents.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, at Church of the Immaculate Conception, 2 N. Hill St., Fountain City, Wis., with the Rev. Brian Jazdzewski as celebrant. A visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at Talbot Funeral Home, 243 N Main St., Cochrane, with an additional visitation available one hour prior to the Funeral Mass at the church. Burial will take place in St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery in Waumandee. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.talbotfuneralhomes.com.