Rita M (Domask) Durrant

Video of Memorial Service for Rita

Video Tribute

Rita Marie (Bretl) (Domask) Durrant was born on December 13th, 1929 in Milladore, Wisconsin. She was the youngest of six children. She attended a one room schoolhouse until 8th grade and went on to graduate from Auburndale High. She worked at Hardware Mutual Insurance Company (now Sentry Insurance). During this time she met her first true love and father of her children, Clarence Domask, at a polka dance. After a one year courtship, they were married on May 13th, 1950. They worked a few years in Milwaukee and saved enough money to move their growing family to a small piece of farm land in Iola, Wi.  They started their farm with just nine head of cattle which grew to over 200 (not to mention 11 children!). Together, Rita and Clarence made Holstein Acres a thriving and successful farm.

Rita was a wonderful wife, mother, and homemaker. Her home cooked meals were legendary and her pies, cakes and cookies were irresistible. Her large garden provided canned fruits and vegetables throughout the year. Tragedy struck on August 26th, 1985 when Clarence passed away unexpectedly.

Rita started a second chapter in her life when she met and married Calvin Tuxhorn. They enjoyed traveling but Rita was especially fond of her winters in Naples, Florida.

Rita had many passions in life which kept her very busy. What started out as mending for her family turned into sewing elaborate doll clothes for her grandchildren. In addition, she donated hundreds of hand sewn dresses to girls in orphanages around the world.Her faith and ministry for serving God also included making countless rosaries that were  donated to the church for distribution globally. She had a personal goal of making 3 rosaries every day and did so for the past 20 years. She rarely failed to meet her goal. She continued to make them up to 6 months ago.Rita excelled at the lost art of letter writing. Family, friends and grandchildren looked forward to opening an envelope to see Rita’s immaculate cursive and read about her childhood memories.Rita was skilled at games and puzzles. Every morning she would complete a crossword puzzle and she was always eager to play a game of cards or dominoes... and she played to win!  She was also an avid and talented polka dancer and had the trophies to prove it.

After Calvin passed, Rita moved back to Iola where she planned to remain for the rest of her years, but as fate would have it a wonderful man by the name of Bill Durrant asked her to join him for a Friday night fish fry. Shortly after that night they fell in love and were married on December 28th, 2018. Although they only had a few years together they enjoyed the time they had. They filled their days with  church picnics, playing bingo, doing a dance or two and playing “Skip-Bo”. Rita was truly happy to find one “last love” with Bill. They were blessed to find each other.

Rita will be truly missed by her family and many friends. She leaves a legacy of kindness, caring and compassion and a life well lived.

Rita is survived by her husband Bill Durrant of Waupaca, WI.Children; Tom (Catherine) Domask, Pat (David) Loken, Linda (Ted) Justice, Kathy (Mike) Kelnhofer, Chris (Erik) Malvik, Sandra Thorne, Al (Deb) Domask, Dennis (Vivian) Domask, Jeff Domask, Dan (Patti) Domask, Jennifer (Christopher) Larson , Step Children; Kim (Jeff) Orwin, Marsha Durrant.

Grandchildren: Adam Domask, Ashley Geballe, Jodi (Jason) Long, Jill (Tom) Sharp, David (Debra) Loken, Denise (Kevin) Willis, Hessed (Jerry) Fouroux, Charis(Guston) Bird, Luke (Alayna) Justice, Cullen (Denise) Brewster, Zach (Callie) Malvik, Ellie (Cody) Keenan, Rachel (Tony Rienboldt) Domask, Cody (Austen) Lane, Nathan Domask, Dexter Domask, Morgan Domask, Mason (fiancee' Kayla Bonack) Domask, Maiah Domask, Marcus Domask, Leif Larson, Jonah Larson, Mihret Larson, Joseph (Dana) Larson, Mary (Joshua) Larson.

Great Grandchildren; Owen Domask, Merrick Domask, Preston Long, Ethan Long, Alexander Sharp, Olivia Sharp, Jacob Sharp, Kiedra Van Gruensven,  Korz Loken, Cooper Willis, Roen Willis, Dane Willis, Aspen Willis, J.D. Fouroux, Zedek Fouroux, Hope Fouroux, Ana Fouroux, Addison Bird, Rita Bird, Emersyn Bird, Helena Bird, Lazarus Bird, Ezra Justice, Jackson Justice, Lumi Brewster, Sutton Brewster, Zander Malvik, Zoey Malvik, Boone Keenan, Huck Keenan, Ariana Rienboldt, Remi Reinboldt, Ronin Lane, Lily Larson, Theo Larson, Hayden Larson, Quinton Larson, Eloise Larson. Great Great Grandchild: Brier Van Gruensven.

She was preceded in death by her Parents:  Charles & Mary (Younger) Bretl.  Husbands:  Clarence Domask and Calvin Tuxhorn.  Siblings:  Evelyn Wotruba, Eleanor Moody, Edmund Bretl, Norbert Bretl and Henry Bretl.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2021, 11:00 am at the St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Waupaca with Fr. Xavier Santiago, officiating.  Visitation will be held Saturday from 9:30 am - 10:45 am at the St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Waupaca.  Interment of cremains will take place in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery  in Town of Little Wolf.

Online condolences can be given at www.voiefuneralhome.com .