Rita Lou Hutzenbuehler

Rita Lou Hutzenbuehler 93 passed away on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025 in her home of 65 years surrounded by her children. Rita was born on September 18, 1931 in La Crosse to William and Louise (Harder) Kabat. Rita graduated from Central High School.

Mom was a dedicated and loving homemaker, and her children were her number one priority. Mom enjoyed many activities which included flower gardening. She loved her flowers, especially her yellow tulips. She enjoyed boating and camping on the sandbars though she camped more for her children than herself because that was the kind of mom she was. She loved to dance and dance she did and danced often at the VFW and American Legion. Mom was a wonderful cook and baker which led to all of her children being fantastic cooks. Mom was known for her Danish Puff, German Chocolate Beer Cake and the infamous Cottage Cheese Torte. After her children were in school mom went to work at Hintgen Elementary school and retired after an illustrious 25-year food service career. She really enjoyed spending time with the kiddos. Mom was also an avid music buff and enjoyed the luminaries such as Elvis Presley, Patsy Klein, and others. She could rattle off songs and artists names like no one else. Mom enjoyed traveling to places such as Italy, the Bahamas, Hawaii and California. She also enjoyed her occasional cruise. Rita was a member of The Legion Auxiliary, St Anne’s Altar Society and was a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader. Mom was an avid bowler in her younger years as well.

Mom is survived by her children Tonya (Michael) McCabe, Douglas Hutzenbuehler, Susan (Steve) Lee, Pattie (Steven) Meixelsperger, Michael (Ann) Hutzenbuehler, Jodi (Scott) Mickelson, grandchildren Chelsea and Riley Hutzenbuehler, Abigail (Tyler) Stuckey, Hans (Jamie) Meixelsperger, Dylan and Max Lee, step grandchildren Bailey and Ashley and great grandchildren, Georgia, Oswin, Wolfgang and Layla. Also, survived by a sister Patty Senn and a brother William Kabat and many nieces and nephews. Mom was proceeded in death by her husband Donald Alfred, a son Donald Dean and grandson Douglas Hutzenbuehler, her parents and two sisters Babe Senn and Marlene Bauer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Reverend Rick Robert’s will officiate. Committal services will follow in the Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 10:00 AM until the time of services. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Gundersen Hospice program.

Rita’s family would like to thank the Gunderson Health System and the nurses with Gundersen Hospice who are dedicated and compassionate beyond definition. Tonya, Douglas, Pattie, Michael and Jodi want to give our sister Susie a very special thank you for her dedication and care of our mother. Thank you!