Rita Raye Carver

Rita Raye Carver, age 85 of Oshkosh, passed away at her residence surrounded by her loving family on Friday, May 13, 2022, after a long struggle with cancer.   She was born in Green Bay on March 3, 1937 to the late Claude and Jane (Loewen) DeHut.

Rita attended Longfellow School in Oshkosh where she would meet classmate, William Carver, and one day marry. She also attended St. Mary’s, Iola High School, and graduated from Oshkosh High School in 1955. As a young lady, she had a passion for music and theater. She had a lovely singing voice, was a member of the A Cappella choir, a Madrigal and cast in the musical Brigadoon.  As an accomplished singer she competed state-wide, intending to pursue a musical career before choosing to attend the University of Wisconsin, receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in retail merchandising. 

After graduation, she was employed by Marshall Field’s in Chicago as a retail buyer for their flagship store.   Rita returned to Oshkosh, where she worked for the Oshkosh School District as a substitute teacher.  Rita subsequently retired after working for Schwab Realty as a realtor for twenty-five years. Rita was an Alpha Phi-Iota Chapter, while at the UW, remaining active as alumni President and National Representative for the local chapter at UW-O for many years. 

Rita married William Carver in Phoenix, AZ, and their marriage was blessed with two daughters. Rita had a zest for life and was always on the go. She was an avid golfer playing with the ladies at Lakeshore Municipal and at the Oshkosh Country Club for many years.  She was proud to have shot a hole-in-one as a guest at the Ridgeway Country Club, Neenah.  Rita was an accomplished downhill skier who frequently visited the slopes of Colorado, California, Utah, and Northern Michigan. Rita loved seeing the world with Bill, whether it was going on a cruise or a trip to Europe. They traveled to Europe many times, but she always had a deep appreciation for Paris.  Rita always claimed Phoenix as her happy place and so loved and looked forward to their annual spring trips visiting her parents and many friends, including special friends Helen Sanders and Janet Fiebig. 

Rita was a member of St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church. She loved her family with a special love for her grandchildren. She  loved animals, especially her beloved dog, Jade. She was an outstanding gardener, homemaker, and excellent cook. Her family will hold the many holidays she made very special, close to their hearts.

Rita is lovingly survived by her husband of 62 years, William Carver; daughters: Catherine (Creighton Pritzlaff) and Caroline Carver; grandchildren: Hannah and Carver Schmidt; brother: Dennis DeHut.In addition to her parents, Rita was preceded in death by her favorite aunt, Rita Pennau, her mother’s sister, for whom she was named. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 4:00 PM on Friday, May 20, 2022, at St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church, 830 S Westhaven Dr. with Fr. Tom Long officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 PM until the time of Mass.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church or the Oshkosh Area Humane Society in memory of Rita.