Our mother, Rita passed peacefully on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. She lived to the remarkable age of 98.

Born on May 10, 1927 to Joseph and Martha (Tryba) Golla and spent her entire life in Stevens Point. Rita attended St Peter’s grade school and graduated from PJ Jacobs. Most of her career was spent working as a Bookkeeping Supervisor at First National Bank until her retirement in 1992.

Rita was married to Alfred Lewandowski on September 30, 1950 at St Peter’s and raised eight children. Throughout their marriage, Rita and Alfred made it a point to travel with friends, as a family of 10 in a station wagon or just staying close to home with weekend camping adventures with extended family members. There was never a dull moment for mom with making meals, sewing clothes, curtains, quilts and the occasional costume.

She was lifelong member of St Peter’s church and volunteered at various church functions, was a member of Rosary Society and for 30+ years worked at the rectory counting and recording church offerings. Her faith was important to her and was definitely a means of great strength for a mother of eight children.

Rita enjoyed the small things in life like a visit from a family member, caring for grandchildren, gardening, sewing projects, knitting a stocking cap and mittens for Bootstrap, crocheting dishcloths for the church picnic or just for the visitor who stopped by her house. Her talents were endless and she was always ready to help out a neighbor, a friend or a family member. She will be remembered as an individual who worked hard, upheld family traditions and loved well.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Martha and Joseph Golla, stepfather-Syl Kubisiak, husband-Alfred, grandson-Seth Zakrzewski, son-in-law-Jerry Zdroik, siblings: Chet Golla, Marge Wanta, Irene Miskowski and Jim Golla, in laws: Dorothy Golla, Hank Wanta, Jim Miskowski, Jim Pavelski, Vic Schultz, Virg Golla, Anton and Regina Lewandowski, Betty and Ray Walczak and step-brother, Bill Kubisiak.

Survived by - children: Carl Lewandowski, Karen (Jack) Konopacky, Linda Zdroik, Mary (Larry) Pingel, Dennis (Vicki) Lewandowski, Barbara Guinn, David (Dean) Lewandowski and Annette (Gary) Flugaur, 23 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, sisters: MaryAnn Pavelski, Virg Clausen, Fay Schultz, Sophie Kubisiak and numerous nieces and nephews.

Our gratitude to all staff who cared for our mother at Whispering Pines, Plover. Your dedication and kindness were felt and appreciated.

Rest in peace, Mom. You will be greatly missed but forever remembered. Thank you for all the memories, big and small. Thank you for supporting each one of us in our own journey of life. We love you.

A Mass of Christian Burial for Rita will be at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 19, 2026 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 800 Fourth Ave, Stevens Point. Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 18th at 5:00 PM at Pisarski Funeral Home. There will be a parish rosary prayed promptly at 7:00 PM. Visitation continue on Monday at the church in the Saint Faustina Room from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Burial will follow the mass in Guardian Angel Cemetery. Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the Lewandowski Family.

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