Rita Marie Wisniewski

A bit more than 90 years after her birth in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on August 2, 1933, Rita Marie Wisniewski (née Czaplicki) returned to her heavenly home on September 21, 2023. As three of her heart valves gave way, her 3 surviving children and their spouses prayed with her at her bedside, then bid her goodbye so she could rejoin Ted, her husband of 67 years; Dr. Ted, Jr., her firstborn son; her parents Steve and Josephine Czaplicki; and her only sibling Virginia (James); and countless other extended family members, friends, and clients.

Growing up in Milwaukee, Rita, a devoted Catholic, attended Catholic schools, played Our Lady of Fatima in the Notre Dame High School play, and participated in the Young Christian Workers and the Catholic Family Movement. She led Catholic marriage preparation and served as a Communion minister and beloved choir member. With Ted she raised Ted, Jr., Mary, Mark (Elizabeth), and John (Connie), encouraging their Catholic education and people-oriented careers. She earned a Master's in Social Work and capped off her career in family counseling as the Director of the Family Service Department of DePaul Rehabilitation Center. To be closer to her adoring grandchildren, Carly Baker (Brock), David (Brittany), Jack, and Nicole (fiancé, Jordan), she moved with Ted, Sr., to San Antonio, where she enjoyed many new wonderful friendships while heading the Chesapeake Condo Board and the Holy Spirit Altar Society. A fervent and extraordinarily talented visual artist, writer, singer, and dancer, she pursued and encouraged engagement in the arts until her last day on earth, and she kept her phone close so she could see the sonogram of her first great grandson and video footage of her great granddaughter Collins Baker taking her first steps and dancing.

Rita wrote in her inimitable and impeccable cursive to express her deep thanks to all the dear family and friends that shared in her life journey. “Be gentle with yourself. Take not only a day at a time but one moment at a time. The dear ones in our life create a blanket of comfort and compassion that keeps us safely bundled. We hold our dear ones in our hearts until the day we meet them again.”

INURNMENTSATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 202310:30AMST. ADALBERT CEMETERY3801 S. 6TH ST.MILWAUKEE, WI 53221

MEMORIAL MASSSUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 202312:00PMBASILICA OF SAINT JOSAPHAT2333 S. 6TH ST.MILWAUKEE, WI 53215

"My Soul magnifies the Lord, and My Spirit rejoices in God my Savior."

Please click here to a view a recording of Rita's funeral mass, held in San Antonio on September 25, 2023 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.