Rita Louise Lepak, 82
Rita Louise Lepak, 82, of Rosholt, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2026, with family by her side. Rita was born March 25, 1944, in Custer, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of the late Raymond and Anna (Hintz) Palbrach. She grew up on the family farm and attended and graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School in Stevens Point. On Oct. 20, 1962, she married her high school sweetheart, Richard (Dick) Lepak. After getting married, she fully supported Richard’s residential construction dreams, moving with him to Lake Mills and eventually relocating back to the Stevens Point area to raise their family and start their own residential construction company, Community Builders.
Rita always had a strong desire to help others. She had a strong commitment as a community volunteer starting at St. Michael’s Hospital. She had a passion for cooking and baking. She worked in the coffee shop at St. Michael’s and eventually managed it and turned it into Seasons’ Cafe. She continued to operate and manage it for many years.
Family was a top priority for Rita. Every family gathering was always filled with plenty of food. In 1997, she entered a simple caramel apple pie recipe in a baking contest with more than 10,000 other entries and took first place. She always had a sweet tooth, especially for ice cream.
The cornerstone of Rita’s life was her faith in God. Rita selflessly gave her time and talent for the benefit of others. She was a very active parishioner at St. Stanislaus Kostka (Holy Spirit) Parish and was a longtime member of the Rosary Society. Rita, together with her husband, Richard, and best friends Gary and Carol Check, started bingo as a fundraiser for the church that continued for almost 40 years. She continued to assist the parish whenever she was asked.
Rita gave selflessly of her time and talent for the benefit of others. She and her husband sponsored a child from Honduras for more than 10 years. She was actively involved with Christian Workplace, sang with the Choraleers, volunteered at numerous church picnics, was a member of Moose Lodge No. 1572 and was actively involved in the Blackhawk Archery Club.
Over her lifetime, many memories were created with family and friends while camping, fishing, hunting, organizing cruises, bus trips and casino trips, or playing cards whenever family or friends gathered. Some may remember Rita for her doll collection, spoon collection and her love for flowers.
Rita is survived by her daughters, Sandra (Stephen) Retzki, Christine (Brian) Adamski, Linda (Robert) Stroik and Cindy (Wayne) Kropidlowski; eight grandchildren, Kyle (Amanda) Retzki, Calvin (Lindsey) Retzki, Brenna (Hunter) Tunnicliff, Bryce (Melissa) Adamski, Megan Dodson, Brad (Echko) Stroik, Tony Kropidlowski and Nathan Kropidlowski; and eight great-grandchildren.
She is further survived by two sisters, Mattie Omitt and Nancy (Bill) Frazier; two brothers, Gary (Karen) Palbrach and Danny (Sandy) Palbrach; and a sister-in-law, Cheryl Palbrach.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard; an infant son, Johnny; her parents, Ray and Anna Palbrach; a sister, Grace (Chester) Domaszek; a brother, Jim Palbrach; a brother-in-law, Jim Omitt; and sisters-in-law Christine Palbrach and Liz Palbrach.
Rita’s family would like to thank the caring and compassionate staff at Whispering Pines, Compassus Hospice Services and Home Instead.
The family asks that those wishing to honor Rita do so by making a donation to the International Network for the World Elder Abuse- https://
A Mass of Christian Burial for Rita will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 26, 2026, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2151 Stanley St., Stevens Point. The Rev. Steven Brice will officiate. Visitation will be held at Pisarski Funeral Home, 703 Second St., from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 25, with a rosary at 6:30 p.m. to conclude the visitation. Visitation will continue Friday morning at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow the Mass at Guardian Angel Cemetery.
Pisarski Funeral Homes is serving the Lepak family. Online condolences may be shared at www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.
We love you, Mom. Thanks for all the wonderful memories.