Marita M. "Rita" Schultz

Marita M. “Rita” (Droessler) Schultz, 86, of Potosi, Wisconsin, passed away Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Bethany Home, Dubuque, Iowa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 25, 2025 at St. Thomas Church, Tennyson, Wisconsin, with Rev. Mark Miller officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9-10:45 a.m. Saturday at the church prior to the service. Casey-McNett Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cuba City, Wisconsin is assisting the family.

Rita was born on November 12, 1938 in Kieler, Wisconsin, the daughter of Ray and Louise (Helbing) Droessler. Rita was united in marriage to John Soards on August 30, 1985.

Rita owned and operated Rita’s Custom Drapery business. She was a master seamstress, sewing wedding and bridesmaid’s dresses and other clothing. She loved gardening, baking, playing cards, traveling and theater shows, but most of all spending time with her family. Rita was a faithful member of S.S. Andrew-Thomas Parish, where she was an active member of the choir.

Rita is survived by her children, Marty (Nancy) Schultz, Anchorage, AK, Mick (Karen) Schultz, Grand Mound, IA, Roger (Rhonda) Schultz, Cary, IL, Kathy (Tim) Bartels, Potosi, WI, Joe (Heather) Schultz, Milwaukee, WI, Cary (Carrie) Schultz, Ponte Vedra, FL, Paul (Monica) Schultz, Twin Lakes, WI, and Roy (Laurel) Soards, Portland, OR; 20 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; a brother, Dennis (Mary) Droessler; a sister-in-law, Elaine Droessler; and a brother-in-law, Dave Scott.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John Soards; three sisters, Rosie (Laverne) Vaassen, Darlene (Bob) Lange and Jeanette Scott; three brothers, John Droessler, Joe Droessler and Barney Droessler.

The family wishes to thank the caretakers from Park Place, Bethany Home and Hospice of Dubuque for their exceptional care of Rita.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rita’s name may be made to the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, UW Foundation, U.S. Bank Lockbox 78807, Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807 or at www.adrc.wisc.edu.