
Rita E. Mancheski was a beloved sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and dear friend who peacefully passed away at the age of 82 on Monday, June 16, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Rita was born and raised in Kewaunee, with her parents, Leo and Clara Szydel, and her two brothers, Paul and Leo. She graduated Kewaunee High in 1961.
Rita was blessed to find her soulmate Arnold Mancheski and united in marriage June 6, 1964. There were two great loves in her life: our Lord God and her husband, Arnold. Arnie and Rita’s love was deep and enduring — the kind of love that lives in the soul, rare and beautiful, the kind even the greatest writers would struggle to capture in words.
Together, they created their family who they deeply love; Lisa Mancheski (Dale Mueller), Michael Mancheski (Kim) and children Justin, Kayla (Matt Bartel), and grandchildren Elijah and Asher, Patsy Schroeder (Lee), child Melissa (Josh Voss), grandchild Addison, Sue Pederson (Bob) and children Taylor (Tyler Stipe) and Kristin, and Annie Biely (Dan). In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a treasured grandchild, Brandon Schroeder.
Growing up us kids always knew we were loved — and were reminded of it often. Of course, we also heard our middle names now and then… which meant we were still loved, just in a more “corrective” way.
Rita had a remarkable gift for turning a house into a home. With skilled hands and a loving heart, she could sew any hem, patch the knees of well-worn jeans, bake homemade bread and cinnamon rolls, and prepare three hearty meals a day — always following recipes to the “T”. Her cooking matched the finest, whether served to family, dear friends, neighbors or church gatherings at St. Thomas the Apostle. Rita took great joy in sharing her kitchen skills with anyone eager to learn—especially her grandchildren as they were growing up. Holidays were nothing short of magical —from her beautiful place settings to her homemade dishes: baked chicken, fresh buns, all the fixings, and her famous chocolate cherry cake.
She milked more cows than anyone could count, chased them countless times too. She kept up with the boys in the fields and balanced the books with the best. She loved polkas and could stir up dust on the dance floor since she was a little girl.
Rita cherished time with those she loved—whether at home, out and about, or on trips up north to Crivitz with her sweetie Arnie. She enjoyed old favorite restaurants like Les’s Country Gardens, Stocks, The Willows, and English Lake Inn, and always appreciated a classic Wisconsin Old Fashioned. Antiquing and Goodwill treasure hunts brought her joy, as did broasted chicken or a good burger with fries and a side of mayo. Her coffee was always black and hot, her go-to snack was potato chips, and for sweets, she never passed up chocolate-covered cherries or a Mounds bar.
We remember neighbors gathering for lively sheepshead nights with us kids racing downstairs afterward to scavenge dropped coins or leftover snacks. She loved playing dominos and Rummy 500 with family and friends, and our dad often joked, “I think she married the Queen of Spades,” after losing yet another round.
Rita loved deeply and left a legacy that lives on in every recipe passed down, every story retold, and every heart she touched.
We will miss her natural beauty, her wisdom, her strength—and most of all, her love. But we carry her with us, always. We love you… more.
Cremation has occurred at Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and a private family memorial service will be held. Rita will be laid to rest at Evergreen Cemetery.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staffs of Aurora at Home Hospice and Frontida for the care and compassion provided to Rita. They would also like to express their gratitude to Rev. Dave Beaudry for his unwavering support, love, and prayers given to Rita, Arnold, and the rest of their family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.