Rita M. Curtis

Rita Mary Curtis, 88, of Platteville, Wisconsin, died on Thursday, September 3, 2026.  Funeral services will be at 4:00 PM, Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. Deacon Lee Eggers will officiate. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Platteville.  Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until the time of the service at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Ralph & Rita Curtis Scholarship Fund.  Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Rita was born on September 11, 1937, in Cuba City, Wisconsin, the daughter of William and Florence (Tranel) Vaassen. Rita was united in marriage to Ralph Curtis on July 16, 1957, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Cuba City. 

Rita worked at American Bank & Trust, Dubuque, and Cuba City State Bank.  Rita then took time to raise her family.  After her children were grown up she worked for American Family Insurance, Jerry Schliem, for many years.  Rita was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Cuba City.  She enjoyed playing golf and for almost twenty years wintering in the Villages.  Ralph and Rita always looked forward to their weekly night out at the Elmo Club, Cuba City. Ralph and Rita were big supporters of UW-Platteville Basketball teams, Bo Ryan era, where they traveled and followed those championship teams.  She was an excellent cook and enjoyed a good game of cards. 

She is survived by her husband, Ralph; two children, Michael (Sue) Curtis and Kelly (Ron) Cooley; seven grandchildren, who called her “Nana”, Taylor Welsch, Kelsey (Marty) Welsch, Morgan Cooley, Michelle (Clint) Evans, Dylan (Nicki) Lichter, Adam Arendt, and Alison Arendt; five great-grandchildren, Eleanor, Vaughn, Lila, Clover and John; two sisters, Joyce (Wallace) Hoeper, and Helen (Norm) Heim; brother, Bill (Carolyn) Vaassen and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her daughter, Cathy Welsch-Lichter, granddaughter, Ashley Arendt, her parents, and two sisters, Rose Ann (Norm) Manders and Mary Jane (Gary) Foht.

The family would like to THANK Mineral Point Health Services for all of their compassion and care for Rita.