Rita Norton, 87, died Monday, March 14, 2022 at Aspirus Hospice House, Wausau.

She was born May 23, 1934 in Wausau, daughter of the late Carl and Lena Meilahn.  On March 29, 1952, she married Harold Norton in Wausau before he was deployed to Alaska during the Korean Conflict.  He preceded her in death on May 16, 2018.

On returning to Wausau, she was a full-time mom.  Later, she worked as a cashier and sales for Tempo Department Store, Kwik Trip and Quality Foods, Rib Mountain.

Survivors include, daughters, Jaci Seliger and Sheree (Mark) Schaefer; son-in=law, Jim Drews (Terri Bryden); grandchildren, Sarah (Craig) Hutchinson, Stephen (Becky) Paul, Jake (April) Sonnentag, Gretchen Krueger (Jamie Packard) and Jenna (Josh) Winter; and eight great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents and husband, Harold, she was preceded in death by her stepfather, John Sullivan; daughter, Carla Drews; sons-in-law, Steve Paul and Bob Seliger; and brothers, Carlton and Ronald Meilahn.

Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 25, 2022 at Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 3400 Stewart Avenue, Wausau.  Private entombment will be at Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau.

Memorial donations may be directed to New Life Pet Adoption Center, 125 Cattail Avenue, Marathon, WI 54448.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com