Rita Kay Wiedmer

She was born in Elgin, Illinois, on November 16, 1946, to William Ward and Gertrude Dombroske. Rita earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. She retired after a long career with Walgreens as a pharmacy technician, where she also helped coach and teach those new to the field.

Rita loved to create beautiful pieces of art through sewing, scrapbooking, origami, furniture restoration, and cross stich. She thoroughly enjoyed the finer things in life, but also deeply appreciated and valued the craftmanship and effort that went into creating such things. If Rita wasn’t on a trip to some foreign country, she was planning one. She didn’t have a mean bone in her body, but nothing and no one could ever rain on her parade. When she was excited about something, it was written all over her face and she shared that excitement with everyone. When Rita saw someone that was struggling, but deserved better, she did whatever she could to assist them on their journey. More than anything, she fiercely loved her family and demanded quality time together.

Rita is survived by Terry, her co-pilot and loving husband of 55 years, daughter Tiffany (Stacie Chapman), son Darin (Toni Imbimbo), and grandson Damon (Trinity Abdul); her cousins that were more like siblings, Carol Magmer, Patricia Tarant, and John Cunningham; and, her lifelong friend/sister Cathy Schaefer.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Gertrude Ward, and her brother, Richard Ward.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Family Funeral Care, located at 13001 South John Young Parkway, Orlando, FL 32837, United States. The service is scheduled for February 23, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.