Rita Agnes (nee Wake) Gay, age 88 of the Town of Elba, passed away on Monday, February 8, 2010 at Golden Living Center in Beaver Dam. Rita was born May 26, 1921 in Columbus to Carl and Mary Wake. She was united in marriage to her husband of 58 years, Earl A."Kewpie" Gay on January 16, 1945. They later moved to his family farm and Rita continued life as a farm wife and mother until her death on Monday. Rita and "Kewpie" were both life-long members of St. Columbkille Catholic Church near Columbus. One of her many accomplishments in life was raising her five children; Loretta, John, Thomas, Bonnie and Dale.

Rita is survived by her children, John Gay, Thomas (Cris) Gay, Bonnie Gay-Seehawer, Dale Gay; six grandchildren, Sharon Friese, Beth Reanee, Ross Seehawer, Adrian Gay, Carlin Becker, Sara Gay; five great grandchildren, Travis, Tosha, Ivy, Sienna, Alyson, one great-great grandchild Xavier; brother Carl (Mary) Wake and a sister Lois "Pete" Nemitz.
She is further survived by nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, her husband "Kewpie", daughter Loretta Gabathuler, son-in-law Richard Seehawer, her brothers; John, James and
Robert Wake and a sister Mary "Sissy"Lueders.

In honoring Rita's wishes, there will be no formal funeral services. The family will have a memorial gathering at the family farm on a later date this summer to share memories of Rita and "Kewpie" and their lives together. A graveside service honoring and celebrating the life of Rita Gay will take place on July 10,2010 at 1:00 p.m. at Grove Prairie Cemetery in the Town of Lowell.

The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to her special friends Donna Neuberger and Leora Guenther; her caretakers; Debbie Brown, Cindy Cook, the staff at Golden Living Center in Beaver Dam and Hillside Hospice.

"We will miss her very much."

Cornerstone Funeral & Cremation Services in Beaver Dam is honored to be serving the family.