Rita C. Kerkman

Sturtevant – Rita C. Kerkman, 90 passed away on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, after a life full of love of family and friends. Rita was born on May 3, 1935, in Medford, Wisconsin. She was the fifth child of Lucille (nee Negler) and Emil Radandt. Growing up in a family of six, she was a tomboy who loved spending time outdoors and working on the farm. Before Rita’s freshman year of high school, her family moved to Racine, where she attended Park High School and graduated at 17. As a young adult, she worked a variety of office jobs, mostly bookkeeping. Rita married Robert “Bob” Kerkman in 1964 and had three children, Kathy, Kris, and Jon. She was an awesome mother, playmate, and volunteer at church and her kids’ schools. She was well loved by her family and friends. Rita’s family could always count on her to show up. If you needed a babysitter, if the grandkids had a soccer game, play, or any other event, she would be there. Being a grandmother was a huge joy in her life, and she enabled all kinds of mischief and fun. If you knew her, you knew she loved food. She showed her love through food as the children of St. Stanislaus Parish school knew, as she was their lunch lady. Also, St. Sebastian’s Parish received her special kind of love as she comforted the mourning for years contributing to and coordinating many funeral lunches. Rita will be deeply missed by her daughter, Kathy (David) Adam and grandchildren, Derek (Emily Sander) Adam and Mitchell (Yana Rawinski) Adam; daughter, Kris Kerkman, and grandson, Jake Mayer; son, Jon (Jennifer) Kerkman, and grandchildren, Evan (Halie Maple) Kerkman and Caleb Kerkman; sister, Laverne Jansen; sisters-in-law: Terry Radandt and Jackie Radandt; and many nieces and nephews. Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Kerkman; parents, Emil and Lucille Radandt; brothers: Lothar, Leland, Victor, and Jerome. A funeral mass for Rita will be held at St. Sebastian’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 3:00 PM. A time of visitation will be held at church on Wednesday from 1:00 PM until the time of mass. Private inurnment will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery – Highway 32 in Racine. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Rita’s name may be directed to St. Sebastian’s Catholic Church (3100 95th Street, Sturtevant, WI 53177), any social service or your choice, and/or Our Lady of Lebanon (500 Alameda Street, Norman, OK 73071).

Rita C. Kerkman

May 3, 1935 - May 13, 2025