Rita E. Andrus

Rita Elizabeth (Ray) Andrus passed away peacefully at the age of 84 surrounded by loved ones at Riverside Transitional Care in La Crosse on Friday, March 1, 2024. She was born January 14, 1940 to Addie (Edmison) and George Ray. She was the seventh of eight surviving siblings.

Rita spent her primary years in Cataract, WI. Her family then moved to the La Crosse area, where she graduated from Central High School.

She found the love of her life, Burton Andrus, in the best friend of her brother, Fred Ray. She and Burton were married in 1958. The couple lived in La Crosse, WI for most of their marriage. Only moving to Dubuque, IA for a short while for Burton’s job. They raised three children together.

Rita worked as an in-home daycare provider for many years while caring for her own children. When her children were old enough, Rita joined the out of home work force first at La Crosse Footwear then finally at St. Francis Medical Center as a Dietary Aide/ Bakery Assistant. This is where she remained employed until her retirement, due to disability.

Rita enjoyed her retirement by spending time with her loving husband Burton, and her grandchildren. Rita also volunteered at Good Steward Resale Shop, and as a librarian at First Ev. Lutheran school. Where she enjoyed seeing and interacting with all the children.

Rita loved to crochet and later in life enjoyed embroidery.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Burton Andrus. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Addie (Edmison) and George Ray, her siblings Theresa, George, Pearl, Fred, Robert, Donald, and John (Janet) Ray, and by her sister, Della (Allen) Stetzer. She was also preceded in death by her brothers in law, Francis (Milly), and Ronald (Karol) Andrus.

Rita is survived by her three children, Addie (Rodney) Lathrop, Eugene (SueAnn) Andrus, and Pearl (Mike) Havlik. She is further survived by her eight grandchildren. Michelle (Jim) McGee, Daniel and James Lathrop, Ashley, Cynthia, and Bethany Andrus, also, Kaeko (Mason) Jacobs and Tamiko (Steven) Chafer. Rita also has three great grandsons, Corey, Jacob, and Zackery DeMerchant.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 11:00 AM at First Ev. Lutheran Church, La Crosse. Pastor Richard Pamperin will officiate. Entombment will follow in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Thursday from 10:00 AM until the time of services.

We respectfully request that in lieu of flowers a donation to First Ev. Lutheran School would be greatly appreciated.