Rita L. Zalewski

Rita Zalewski, 81, went home to her heavenly Father on September 16, 2023 with her family by her side at Whispering Pines Assisted Living, Plover, WI.

She was born October 4, 1941 in Little Chute, WI, daughter of the late Jacob and Verna (Berghuis) Van Nuland, one of six children. After graduating from Tigerton High School, she earned a B.S. in Library Science from the University of Nebraska-Omaha, an M.S. in Counseling from Northern Michigan University, and an M.S. in Theology from Loyola University-New Orleans.
On January 19, 1963, she was united in marriage to Donald L. Zalewski at St. Anthony's, Tigerton, WI. They were blessed with two children, Tami and Stephen, both living in Oconomowoc, WI.

Rita's career as a librarian included UW-Madison, Madison Public Library, Holy Name high school in Omaha, and Northern Michigan University. For many years, she tirelessly devoted her time supporting the Arthritis Foundation and spiritual programs for St. Michael's Catholic Church in Marquette, MI.

Rita's family enjoyed many great times traveling and camping around the US, first in a White Stag tent, upgrading to a pop-up camper, and finally a cabin on Lake Michigamme. While living in Marquette, MI, Rita and Don enjoyed canoeing, snowshoeing and harvesting blueberries. Rita's pies and jams were her specialty. Rita and Don visited Alaska, Hawaii, among many other US states. Rita also traveled to many countries in Europe, passing along her love of travel to her children. Rita was an avid reader and shared the universe of books with everyone around her. She loved spending time outdoors in her flower gardens and being around her beautiful and bright grandchildren, Sofia and Thomas.

Rita is survived by her husband Donald, her children and two grandchildren; two sisters, Joan Wetzel, Appleton, RoseMary Salzman, Plover; one brother, James Van Nuland, Folsom, CA; and many nieces and nephews. Besides Rita and Don's parents, she was preceded in death by her brother Richard and sister Betty.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Spirit Parish, Stevens Point on Saturday September 30, 2023 at 11:00 am. Father Steven Brice will preside. Visitation will be on September 30 from 09:30 – 11:00 am at the church. Private burial to be held at St Adalbert's Church cemetery at a later date

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Whispering Pines for the compassionate care for Rita during her four years with them. We appreciate the support of ProMedica Hospice during her last months.  We also want to express our deepest gratitude to friends and family far and near for their cards, calls and prayers during Rita's ten-year battle with Alzheimer's.
The family requests, in lieu of flowers, any memorial donations may be directed towards the Alzheimer's Association.

The Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the family. For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com