Berenz, Rita C.Rita Catherine Berenz, 90 of Fond du Lac passed away on Friday May 12, 2017 at St. Francis Home, where she resided for the past seven years. She was born on February 8, 1927 in Fond du Lac, the daughter of Joseph and Margaret Mueller Stenz. She attended St. Mary's grade school and graduated from Fond du Lac High School in 1944. On July 20, 1946 she married Elmer J. Berenz at St. Mary's Catholic Church. They were married for fifty-nine years. After living in St. Peter the first several years, they moved to their home in Fond du Lac, where they raised their five children in a loving home. Rita and Elmer were hard working and good hearted, setting a wonderful example for their children and grandchildren. Rita was a member of Holy Family Catholic Community, St. Mary's Church. She was a faith-filled Catholic who was active in the Altar and Rosary Society, Funeral Choir, and Prayer Circles. She volunteered for many years at church and school and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary of Abler-Engler Post 454 of Mount Calvary. Rita was employed at Sears for twenty-five years. After her retirement, she volunteered many years at St. Agnes Hospital, Rolling Meadows Nursing Home, and St. Francis Home. She enjoyed flower gardening, reading, golfing, bowling, following her children and grandchildren in sporting events and was an avid Brewers and Packers fan. She had fond memories of her childhood growing up with relatives in Johnsburg and Marytown. Rita is survived by four children, Dennis Berenz, Gary (Sandy) Berenz, Joanne Berenz, Sandra (William) Ford all of Fond du Lac; seven grandchildren, Dustin, Sarah (Alexander Gainullean), Kyle, Brett and Joe Berenz, and Ryan and Margaret Ford, two great-grandchildren, Miles and Julia Gainullean and she is further survived by her brother Robert Stenz of Wichita, Kansas, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer, her parents, two sons, infant son John, and Jim in August of 2016, as well as a granddaughter, Katie Ford. She was also preceded in death by her brothers Jerome (Gertie) and Kenneth (Mary) Stenz, sister in law Sedonia (Everett) Gabrielson.Throughout life's hardships, she showed abundant grace and dignity, guided by her strong faith. Mom was truly meek, humble, patient, hard working, always putting others first.Visitation: Rita's family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, May 16, 2017 from 1:00 to 2:15 PM in the St. Francis Home Chapel, 33 Everett Street in Fond du Lac.Service: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 2:30 PM following the visitation in the St. Francis Home Chapel. Entombment will take place in the Shrine of Rest Mausoleum, Ledgeview Memorial Park.Rita's family would like to extend their sincerest thank you to the staff of St. Francis Home who truly treated our mother and grandmother like family.Zacherl Funeral Home is serving the family. www.zacherlfuneralhome.comThe Lord knew how hard it would be for us to lose you, so He gently stole you away a memory at a time.