Rita Wolz-Sova

1934 - 2025

Rita Wolz-Sova
Born: May 4, 1934 in Joliet, IL
Died: October 2, 2025 in Minooka, IL
Rita Mae Wolz Sova passed peacefully in her home on the family farm on October 2, 2025. She was born May 4, 1934 and was fortunate to be here for 91 years and 5 months.
Rita grew up on the east side of Joliet. She was lovingly raised by her parents Eva and August Wolz who were deaf. She helped communicate and advocate for them throughout their lives. She was also raised by her cherished grandmother Mary Kowalczyk.
Rita was involved in many communities. She was a nurse, teacher, advocate for women's rights and the disadvantaged, union organizer, committed friend, and the strong, loving, and completely devoted mother to two daughters, mother-in-love to their husbands, and grandmother to six beloved and happily spoiled grandchildren.
The pursuit of formal education and the career of nursing defined Rita's life. After attending St. Francis High School, she pursued an RN from the Little Company of Mary Hospital, a BSN and Masters Degree in Nursing from the University of Illinois in Chicago, and an EdD in education from Northern Illinois University. Rita began her career as an OB-GYN hospital nurse and then became a Will County public health nurse. She was also devoted to teaching others:first as a nursing instructor at St. Joseph Medical Center, then at Joliet Junior College where she became the chair of the nursing department.She remained active after she retired, continuing her pursuit of knowledge, especially of history and politics, and of her grandchildren's stories and accomplishments. She was also fluent in ASL, volunteering as a translator for Saint Joseph Medical Center for two decades.
Rita served on the boards of the Spanish Center, the Aux Auble Creek Watershed Committee, and Our Lady of Angels Franciscan Board. She spent time with cherished groups of friends. They traveled together, gathered for book ("wine") and investment clubs, organized rallies and marched against war, and in support of civil rights and the Equal Rights Amendment. She shared these values with her husband, children, and grandchildren.
Rita met her husband of 64 years, Edward Sova, in kindergarten at St. Thaddeus Parish School. They were friends for 83 years. They worked incredibly hard during their life together yet always found time for family, community, and travel - from annual summer trips to Northern Minnesota, visits to many of the National Parks, trips and cruises to Alaska, Europe and China, visits to major American cities and to her favorite destination many times - Mexico. She loved hosting parties, including autumn square dances, summer garden parties, and raucous picnics with games.
In 1980, she and Ed built a house on a farm in Kendall County. Ed grew corn and soybeans and Rita grew vegetables and flowers in the garden. She turned the house into a home, decorating lavishly for every holiday and stocking the pantry with more fun snacks than her grandchildren could ever manage to eat.
Rita was pre-deceased by her parents and her husband. She leaves a lasting legacy for her two daughters, Laura Sova (Kenyon Gunnells) and Mary Beth Sova (Peter Handler), former son-in-law Noam Frankel, and her six grandchildren: Caleb (Shanna), Lee, Gabe (Aliya), Claudia, Austen and Quinn, and great grandson Aysa, numerous nieces and nephews, especially Kenny, chosen younger brother Denny, and everyone else whose lives she touched with her kindness, intelligence, encouragement and strength. Rita left the world better than she found it, and inspired so many to do the same. She will be greatly missed and thought of fondly every day.
The family wishes to give their great appreciation to the amazing daily care and love given to Rita by Shirley and Mitch, and the loving attention and assistance of Linda, farming partners Linda and Wayne, holiday decorators and lawn care team Terry and Beth, beauty consultants Kathy and Karen, farm and yard care worker Francisco, caring Nurse Luz and the team at Gentiva Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, gifts to the Rita Wolz Sova and Edward J. Sova Nursing Endowed Scholarship at Joliet Junior College would be appreciated: Please send a check to JJC Foundation at 1215 Houbolt Road, Joliet, IL 60431 or contribute online at: https://jjc.edu/giving/give-jjc (click the box marked "I want to support" and choose the Rita Wolz Sova and Edward J. Sova Nursing Endowed Scholarship).
A memorial is being planned for Saturday, October 25.