Rita C. (Koleske) Barranco

Rita C. Barranco (“Reets”), age 83, passed away Monday, October 25, 2010, at Lake Country Health and Rehabilitation in Oconomowoc. She was born in Racine, April 8, 1927, daughter of the late Frank L. and Veronica (Nee: Feest) Koleske.

On December 28, 1946, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Racine, she was united in marriage to Samuel A. Barranco who preceded her in death on January 8, 2010. She was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and was active in St. Joseph’s Christian Woman’s Society, St. Joseph’s Choir and St. Ann & Joachim Society, serving as president. Always willing to give of herself and devote her time to others, Rita was actively involved with the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, St. Catherine’s Guild, and was an original founder of the VFW Auxiliary. She also worked in an administrative role at Master Appliance and was a certified nursing assistant as well.

Most of all, she treasured time spent with her family. Her door was always open to everyone. Her children and grandchildren were her joy; her care and love for them was extraordinary. She will forever be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother  and great-grandmother. She will be dearly missed.

Survivors include her six children, Donald (Kathleen) Barranco of Menomonee Falls, Gary Barranco of Racine, Peggy (William Jones) Barranco of Crystal Lake, IL, Diane (Robert) Anderson of Racine, Rita Marie (David) Parker of Fond du Lac, Mary (William) Poehls of Hartland, WI; 17 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters, Lawrence (Laverne) Koleske, Louis Koleske, Daniel (Shirley) Koleske,, Hildegard Walsh, all of Racine, Elaine Jones of Kenosha; sisters-in-law, Josephine Koleske, Sandra Koleske, Adeline Sackman, Susie Griffin, Rose (Gene) Bracker, Mary Balabuch; brother-in-law, Joe Adamek of Racine.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by her brothers and sisters, Francis (Laura) Koleske, Paul Koleske, Mark Koleske, John (Roberta) Koleske, Marie Koleske, Eleanor (George) Beyer, Joan Adamek; sisters-in-law, Mary Koleske and Rose Koleske; and brothers-in-law, Eugene Walsh and Ray Jones.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1533 Erie St., Monday November 1, 2010, at 11 a.m., with Rev. John D. Aiello officiating. Interment will follow at the Southern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, Hwy C, Town of Dover. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church Monday from 9:30 a.m. until time of Mass. Memorials to the family to be used for the spiritual and physical development of children in the Racine community.

Rita was a woman of great faith. Her recent journal entries personify her wishes for everyone, “may God bless you all, and may God keep you safe.”

MARESH-MEREDITH AND ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine  (262) 634-7888