Rita Mae Joly, 79 years of the Town of Sevastopol, passed away Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Kewaunee Health Services.
She was born June 22, 1946 in Sturgeon Bay and grew up in Ellison Bay. Rita graduated from Gibraltar High School before embarking on furthering her education and relocating to Green Bay. It was in Green Bay she would meet her future husband, Ken Joly. And on June 25, 1966 she married Kenneth Charles Joly at St. Rosalia Catholic Church in Sister Bay. They were married 58 years before he preceded her in death in 2024.
Rita was a familiar face at Welsings Foodland and Gas Station on Highway 57 in Valmy where she worked for many years. Rita enjoyed needlepoint, crocheting and reading. She was kind, gentle, and caring and someone who took time to listen to others giving them importance and validation when they needed it.
Survivors include her five children, Pamela (Robert) Tank, Paula (Scott) Talmadge, Michael (Michelle) Joly, Penny (Ty) Tallakson, Patricia (Robert) Cram; nine grandchildren, Stephanie Welnetz, Joshua Welnetz, Anna Talmadge, Kirsten Benesh, Trevin Joly, Lexie Joly, Heidi Tallakson, Elsa Tallakson, and Jack Cram; 11 great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents, Aloysius and Mayme (Smith) Daubner; three siblings, Roland and Stephan Daubner, and Maynard Smith.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 20, 2026 at Huehns Funeral Home with Fr. Matthew Simonar officiating. Inurnment will follow at Bayside Cemetery. Friends and family may call on Monday, April 20 at Huehns Funeral Home from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service at 11:00 a.m.
Family would like to express their appreciation to the Door County EMTs, the staff at St Mary's Hospital, and Kewaunee Health Services. Also, a big thank you to Unity Hospice Care staff and all the local people that took care of her yard and other maintenance issues she had.
Expressions of sympathy, memories and photos of Rita may be shared with her family through her tribute page at www.HuehnsFuneralHome.com.
