Rita J. Stern

Rita Janet Stern, age 74, of Prescott, WI, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2023. Rita was born on March 15, 1948 to Jack and Jeanne Dodge of Prescott, WI. Rita graduated from Prescott High School and married her love, Joseph Stern. Their union blessed them with four children-Natalie, Wade, Brent and Heather.

Rita was a stay-at-home mom while her kids were young, but eventually worked for the Prescott School District as a bus driver for 20+years. Rita loved going out for coffee with friends and family, shopping, doing puzzles, hanging out with her kids and grandkids and anything that was pink.  Every Friday night you could find her in her chair watching WWE Smackdown.

Rita is survived by her children Natalie (Dan) Hetchler, Wade (Amy) Stern, Brent (Robin) Stern, Heather (Tom) Lee, brother Jim Dodge, sister-in-law Kate (Jerry) Killian, brother-in-law Kenny (Barb) Stern, brother-in-law Pete Woods, sister-in-law Donna Dodge, thirteen grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Joe Stern; her parents Jack and Jeanne Dodge; her brother Gary Dodge; her in-laws Robert and Marie Stern; her sister-in-law Brenda Dodge; her sister-in-law Pat Woods and her nephew Eric Dodge.

A Celebration of Life will be held April 22, 2023 at the American Legion in Prescott, WI from 1-4pm. Rita liked to have fun and was never too serious, so we would like to make this a happy remembrance of her with stories, music, food and drinks. Hope to see family and friends stop by for some good “Rita” stories.

Services are entrusted to O’Connell Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Prescott, www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com , 715-262-5404