Rita A. Long, age 86, went to her eternal reward on October 24, 2026. She was born on January 1, 1940, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, the daughter of Walter and Mary Ellen Long.

She attended Elm Tree School, a one-room schoolhouse, through third grade and then transferred to St. Mary Grade School in Appleton through ninth grade. Rita graduated from St. Mary High School in Menasha in 1958. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Edgewood College in Madison, WI.

Her 34-year teaching career included positions in Menasha, Wiesbaden, Germany at the USAF Headquarters in Europe, and the Neenah Joint School District.

During her years in Wiesbaden, Germany, she took advantage of the many opportunities to travel. One of her special memories was visiting the Holy Land at Christmas.

Family time was very important to Rita, as evidenced by her attendance at most of her 12 nieces’ and nephews’ baptisms, high school and college graduations, many times traveling across the country. Rita shared an especially beautiful bond with her parents, Walter and Mary Ellen.

In 1999, Rita married Tom Geerdts, a loving husband who brought much joy to her life. She welcomed Tom’s family with warmth and love. In their retirement years, Rita and Tom spent time traveling to other states to visit family and friends. Their first cruise together with friends took them through the Panama Canal and ended in Costa Rica. Many more cruises were taken in the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, and Columbia River, to name only a few.

A trip to Ireland with family was very rewarding. During a few winter months, you could find them golfing in Green Valley, Arizona. Both were avid Packer, Badger and Brewer fans. Their Packer room was usually filled with family and friends to cheer on the Packers.

Rita was the eternal optimist. She had a beautiful way of finding the good in every situation and bringing light and happiness to those around her. She was a constant presence in the lives of her family and friends, always showing up and making everyone feel special and loved.

Rita is survived by her brother Tom (Kathy) Long, sisters Patricia Lucas and Kathleen Long, O.P. and 12 special nieces and nephews: Colleen (John) McFarland, Kevin (Peggy) Long, Patrick Long, Sheila Long, Eileen (Dennis Van

Ooyen) Speidel; Tom Long, Tim (Marvin Sifontes) Long, Brian (Connie) Long; John (Julie) Lucas, Mary Beth (Tony) LoVerdi, Megan (Scott) Leadbetter, and Michael (Jennifer) Lucas. Rita is also survived by 27 very wonderful grandnieces and grandnephews, members of Tom Geerdts’ family, as well as many cousins and close friends.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Tom Geerdts, her brother Jim Long, and her brother-inlaw John Lucas.

A Funeral Mass will be on Monday, November 2 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Appleton, with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. before the Mass.

Rita’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Touchmark for the compassionate care and kindness they provided to Rita in her final years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans 585 County Road Z Sinsinawa, WI 53824, Brewster Village Endowment Fund 3300 W. Brewster St. Appleton, WI 54914, or Fox Valley Memory Project 1800 Appleton Road Menasha, WI 54952.