Rita L. Lepak

Rita Louise Lepak, 82 of Rosholt, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2026 with family by her side. Rita was born March 25, 1944, in Custer, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of the late Raymond and Anna (Hintz) Palbrach. She grew up on the family farm, attended and graduated from PJ Jacobs High School in Stevens Point. On October 20, 1962, she married her high school sweetheart, Richard (Dick) Lepak. After getting married, she fully supported Richard's residential construction dreams, moving with him to Lake Mills and eventually relocating back to the Steven Point area to raise their family and start their own residential construction company, Community Builders.

Rita always had a strong desire to help others. She had a strong commitment as a community volunteer starting at St. Michaels Hospital. She had a passion for cooking and baking. She worked in the coffee shop at St. Michaels and eventually managed it and turned it into Seasons' Cafe. She continued to operate and manage it for many years.

Family was a top priority for Rita. Every family gathering was always filled with plenty of food. In 1997, she entered a simple caramel apple pie recipe in a baking contest with more than 10,000 other entries and took first place. She always had a sweet tooth especially for ice cream!

The cornerstone of Rita's life was her faith in God. Rita selflessly gave her time and talent for the benefit of others. She was a very active parishioner at St. Stanislaus Kostka (Holy Spirit) parish and was a long-time member of the Rosary Society. Rita, together with her husband, Richard and best friends Gary & Carol Check, started bingo as a fundraiser for the church for almost 40 years. She continued to assist the parish whenever she was asked.

Rita gave selflessly of her time and talent for the benefit of others. She along with her husband sponsored a child from Honduras for more than 10 years.She was actively involved with Christian Workplace, singing with the Choraleers, volunteering at numerous church picnics, being a member of the Moose Lodge #1572, and was actively involved in the Blackhawk Archery Club.

Over her lifetime many memories were created with family & friends while camping, fishing, hunting, organizing cruises, bus trips, and casino trips or playing cards whenever family or friends gathered. Some of you may remember Rita for her doll collection, spoon collection and/or her love for flowers.

Rita is survived by her daughters; Sandra (Stephen) Retzki, Christine (Brian) Adamski, Linda (Robert) Stroik and Cindy (Wayne) Kropidlowski; 8 grandchildren, Kyle (Amanda) Retzki, Calvin (Lindsey) Retzki, Brenna (Hunter)Tunnicliff, Bryce (Melissa) Adamski,

Megan Dodson, Brad (Echko) Stroik, Tony and Nathan Kropidlowski; and 8 great-grandchildren.

She is further survived by 2 sisters; Mattie Omitt and Nancy (Bill) Frazier and 2 brothers, Gary (Karen) Palbrach and Danny (Sandy) Palbrach. Further survived by sister-in-law, Cheryl Palbrach.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard, one infant son, Johnny, parents Ray & Anna Palbrach, sister Grace (Chester) Domaszek, brother Jim Palbrach, brother-in-law Jim Omitt, and sister-in-laws, Christine Palbrach and Liz Palbrach.

Rita's family would like to thank the caring and compassionate staff at Whispering Pines, Compassus Hospice Services and Home Instead.

The family asks that those wishing to honor Rita do so by making a donation to The Alzheimer's Association or Holy Spirit Parish-Haiti Mission.

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A Mass of Christian Burial for Rita will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church-2151 Stanley Street, Stevens Point. Fr. Steven Brice to officiate. Visitation will be held at Pisarski Funeral Home-703 Second Street, from 4:00-7:00 PM with a rosary at 6:30 PM to conclude the visitation on Thursday, June 25. Visitation will continue Friday morning at the church from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Burial to follow mass at Guardian Angel Cemetery. Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the Lepak Family. For online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com

We love you mom! Thanks for all the wonderful memories

We invite and encourage those wishing to order flowers for the Lepak Family to do so directly on the Pisarski Funeral Home website which will take you to a local florist. This will ensure timely delivery.