Rita Kay Sorkness, 74, passed away peacefully at Prairie Pointe Assisted Living in Altoona, WI on Wednesday, January 18, 2023. As she passed away peacefully, one of her last requests was that Beverly, the Activity Director at Prairie Pointe, sing “On Eagles Wings” to her, which was fulfilled.
Rita was born on October 5, 1948, to Gordon and Albertina (Ryser) Sorkness in Eau Claire. She graduated from North High School and went on to complete her bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire. She had a 30-year career at UW-Eau Claire as a librarian in the Special Collections and Archives Department where she retired from on April 2, 2007.
Rita will be remembered for the kindness that she showed to anyone she encountered. She enjoyed talking about the Kennedy family and was passionate about politics. However, the thing she loved to talk about most was her family. She was always a thoughtful aunt to her nieces and nephew, and one of their fondest memories is the trips that she would take them on to Dayton’s each year to buy the collectable Santa Bears, which they still have, and will cherish even more now. Rita was an avid collector of angels and had one of the most beautiful Christmas trees as it was filled with only angels.
Rita is survived by her nieces Alison Sorkness and children Alexis and Evan of Cottage Grove, MN, Nicole Sorkness and son Shai of Sargent, TX, Jesse (Amanda) Sorkness and children Hannah and Ethan of Peewaukee, WI, and cousins Carol (Linda Eddy) Burckhardt of Vancouver, WA, David (Carol) Sorkness of 9 Mile Falls, WA, Karen (Jerry Simmons) Sorkness of Madison, WI, Ronald (Christine) Sorkness of Madison, WI, Alan Sorkness of Camarillo, CA, John Sorkness of Escondido, CA, and John (Leslie) Moen and their daughters Makayla and Makenna of Eau Claire.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Gregory and Rodney, grandparents, Albert and Bertha Ryser, Carl and Elizabeth Sorkness, aunts and uncles, Eldor (Gladys) Sorkness, Lydia Sorkness, Reuben (Donna) Sorkness, Kenneth (Ruth) Sorkness, Delano (Irene) Sorkness Nepstad, Morris Sorkness, Gilma (Harold) Broman, Dagny Sorkness, Lillian (Paul) Moen, Werner (Delores) Ryser, and cousin Glen Sorkness.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at Smith Funeral Chapel (2222 London Rd, Eau Claire) with Pastor Paul Sullivan officiating. There will be visitation prior to the service starting at 1:00 p.m. Interment will be at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery immediately after the service.
The family would like to thank the Prairie Pointe and Heartland Hospice staff for the amazing care and love given to Rita. Online condolences may be left below.
Rita,
You will forever be in my heart. You were a spiritual leader and the best Sunday School teacher. You always had a smile and willingness to serve others. My heart breaks but I know you’ll be taking care of all our loved ones in heaven. You truly were an angel on earth. My condolences to the family.
Rita, we just heard, I will never forget you, and your kindness to everyone. You were truly an Angel on Earth. Still remember when my Daughter was young, and was in your Sunday School class. You were the best Sunday School Teacher. And years later, when Talia, was in College, she needed a job, and I think you may have helped her get work in the McIntyre Library. This gave her an opportunity to learn, meet many of her Friends she still has today. This also helped her achieve her dream of becoming a Teacher and Reading Specialist. It is sad, how we all get lost in our lives. But, I know you are with the Angels in Heaven, but we are so sad now. We will never forget you.
Rita, we just heard, I will never forget you, and your kindness to everyone. You were truly an Angel on Earth. Still remember when my Daughter was young, and was in your Sunday School class. You were the best Sunday School Teacher. And years later, when Talia, was in College, she needed a job, and I think you may have helped her get work in the McIntyre Library. This gave her an opportunity to learn, meet many of her Friends she still has today. This also helped her achieve her dream of becoming a Teacher and Reading Specialist. It is sad, how we all get lost in our lives. But, I know you are with the Angels in Heaven, but we are so sad now. We will never forget you.
Sue
Rita was a nice person who always wore a big smile. As a member of Ascension Lutheran Church, I have known her since I was a child. Jim was in the nursing home for rehab and she was in the room across from him. It was nice to visit with her and talk about old times. RIP Rita
Bless you my dear friend. All day I’ve been thinking about you walking and running in heaven. Oh how wonderful it must be to finally be without pain. Oh and then after your walk you served those delicious lemon bars. So many good memories we had Rita, I will not forget my faithful sidekick from church with Ladies Aid and Sunday School. You were the most thoughtful person always willing to help with projects. I will cherish all the good laughs we had when I helped with your wraps and before all that happened, remember our ladies aid bake sales at the Mall. Love you Rita, hope we can meet in heaven with all your angels.
My condolences to your family and friends both near and far. I see a special place for you.
Sandy Knuth
Rita was a very kind and knowledgeable person. I knew Rita from growing up in the Town of Seymour and also from accessing materials from the university library. She contributed much with her quiet caring ways. May she fly with the eagles.
Anita C Harvey, Arizona
BFF We will cherish our many memories starting as kids on McKinleyRd. Our many camping trips, years as Girl Scouts, trip to Italy and Switzerland and so many more!!
Rest in Peace, dear friend!
We will miss you until we meet again!
Our love always, Claudia & Wendy
I enjoyed having Rita as a neighbor during the 80’s on Birch St. Never saw her without a big smile on her face. We had lost touch and I didn’t know she was sick; wish I’d known she was recently being cared for so close to my neighborhood so I could have visited. Peace to you Rita ❤
Rita was a kind and gentle person, always smiling. As a former member of Ascension, I remember Rita in Ladies Aid and Sunday School School. She was always ready to serve with her many talents. My condolences to her family, she will be missed. You have reached your final destination. God Bless.
Had a chance to see her do her stuff many times at the Collections Department at UWEC during the 1980s and 1990s when I started doing my family tree. Loved our knowledgeable conversations. She loved genealogy as well. She was one of my role models and mentors. I got a lot of stuff done fast because of her. RIP Rita! You don’t realize how you impacted the lives of others. It was a great honor being in your presence. Thank you again for your inspiration. Dan Walker, Rhinelander, WI.
Years ago I worked with Rita. She was one of the most positive people I’ve known. My condolences to her family.
Rita thank you for helping to coordinate the Sandvig and Torgerson Reunion. I could not have done it without you and everyone involved. If anyone still has the photos of the Sandvig family Rita was going to let me have please email me. May we meet again Love Chris.