Rita Ann (Rogers) Woolever

Rita Ann (Rogers) Woolever, age 95, died on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Milestone Senior Living in Hillsboro, WI.  The second eldest of five children, she was born to Philip and Arvilla (Fessey) Rogers on November 13, 1930, a birthday she shared with her mom.

Rita had the love of learning and teaching from childhood on.  She graduated from Wonewoc High School and received her teaching certificate from New Lisbon Normal School in 1950.  During her teaching career, she taught at several one-room school houses.  Her final full-time position was teaching third grade at the La Valle Elementary School.

On June 10, 1950 Rita was married to Lester Woolever and began their life together as a farm family in the Dutch Hollow Lake area. They were blessed with sharing 65 years of many great memories as well as challenges.  As their family of three children grew, Rita worked tirelessly with Lester as a farm wife, mother, and teacher.  There was always room “for one more” at the dinner table and the evening was not complete without having read a story to the kids. 

A frequent library patron and voracious reader, Danielle Steel was her favorite author.  When macular degeneration diminished her eyesight, she took advantage of the “talking books” and listened to her stories instead.  Rita remained a faithful member of St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Wonewoc, WI.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lester; two brothers, James and Robert Rogers; one sister, Pat Shear; two brothers-in-law, three sisters-in-law, two sons-in-law and a great-granddaughter, McKenna. 

She is survived by three children, son, Edwin (Jill) Woolever, daughters, Susan Lindloff and Theresa Gauf (Mark); grandchildren, Jonathon Woolever (Katie), Megan Rowe (Ike), Lauren Downing (Ryan), Michelle Goss (Matthew), Joshua Ohrt (Karlie), and Michaela Dimmer; as well as great-grandchildren, Kyleigh McDermott, Kynsleigh Woolever, Kendyl, Macey and Tyson Rowe, Byron and Grant Downing, Grace Goss, and Jericho Ohrt. She is further survived by one brother, Richard (Niki) Rogers, one sister-in-law, Sherryle Rogers, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held with a visitation on Friday, February 20, 2026 from 5-7 p.m. at the Picha Funeral Home, Wonewoc, WI with rosary service following, as well as from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church, Wonewoc, WI with a Mass of Christian burial on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

The family would like to thank Milestone Senior Living for the many years of kind and compassionate care Rita received, as well as her special caregivers there, Lisa Lutz, Karen Rada, Annette Unbehaun and Brittany Kuester. They helped make each day a good day.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to the following organizations or to one of your choice: Wisconsin Talking Book & Braille Library, 813 West Wells, Milwaukee, WI  53233, Wonewoc-Center Schools (memorial for school library), 101 School Road, Wonewoc, WI  53968, or the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, PO Box 515, Northampton, MA  01061-0515.