Sr. Rita Feeney

1942 - 2026

Sister Rita Feeney, Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration, 83, died on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wis. She was in the 49th year of her religious profession.

Rita Mae Feeney was born on May 26, 1942, to Raymond Patrick Feeney and Josephine (Meyer) Feeney in Viroqua, Wis. She made her first profession of vows as an FSPA on August 5, 1976.

Sister Rita completed a bachelor's degree at Viterbo College [University] with a major in religious studies and a minor in Spanish. Rita went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Pastoral Studies from Aquinas Institute in St. Louis, Mo. Using her education and previous work experience, Sister Rita served in parish ministry in Wis. (Merrill and Wausau) and Minn. (Anoka), did social outreach at Holy Child Jesus Parish in Canton, Miss, and served a secretary in Holy Child Parish, at St. Francis Medical Center (MCHS, La Crosse), at Bethel Lutheran Church (La Crosse) and at Sacred Heart Parish (Owatonna, Minn.). Sister Rita then ministered as the FSPA Justice and Peace Coordinator from 1993 to 1999. In 2001, she served as secretary for the St. Rose Administrator and in the FSPA Archives until 2009, then again as a volunteer in the Archives from 2011 to 2014. At that time, Sister Rita began working in the library at Villa St. Joseph in La Crosse until she retired at St. Rose Convent in 2017 where her ministry became prayer and hospitality.

Sister Rita was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Shirley Statz, and her brother Raymond J. Feeney. She is survived by her religious community, her sisters Karen Harter (Eleva, Wis.) and Alise Feeney (Eau Claire, Wis.), and several nieces and nephews.

Sister Rita requested a natural burial. Her vigil service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on March 26, 2026, at St. Rose Convent. A virtual sharing will take place at 6:30 p.m. that evening. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on March 27 at Mary of the Angels Chapel. Both the wake service and the Mass will be live-streamed. Burial will follow immediately at the FSPA Natural Burial Site at St. Joseph Ridge, La Crosse. Dickinson Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.

Memorials may be sent to Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, 912 Market St., La Crosse, WI 54601-4782.