Rita N. Brothers, age 87, of Beaver Dam, WI and formerly of Dubuque,  passed away on Friday, September 25, 2026, at UnityPoint Health Meriter Hospital, Madison, WI.  To celebrate Rita’s life, family and friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, IA 52001.  Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church with Very Rev. Dennis J. Quint officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Rita was born on December 24, 1938, in Bedford, Indiana, the daughter of Everett J. and Dorothy C. (Adams) Brown.

Rita married the love of her life, Delbert Brothers, on February 11, 1961, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Dubuque.  They had a beautiful family together and were married for 38 years before he sadly passed away in 1999.  Rita was a devoted wife, mom and homemaker.  She also sold her delicious baked goods for 13 years at Farmer’s Market.  She was a long time member of St. Patrick’s Church.  In her free time, Rita enjoyed being outdoors tending to her flower gardens and going fishing.  She loved taking care of her grandchildren.

Rita was a wonderful woman who will be greatly missed.

Those left to cherish Rita’s memory include

her children,
Patricia (Craig) Pfeiffer, Edmond, OK,
Lori Bolsinger, Edmond, OK,
Peggy (Robert) Copeland, Beaver Dam, WI,
Gary (Jody Mayer) Brothers, Dubuque, IA
and Teresa (Blaine) Heiar, Dubuque, IA;

7 grandchildren,
Special Grandson, Josh Brothers, Justin Copeland, Brandon Copeland, C.J. Pfeiffer, Taylor Pfeiffer, Danielle Terry, and Alisha Heiar;

11 great-grandchildren;

a special niece,
Debbie Zeigafuse;

and many nieces and nephews.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Delbert; a son, James Brothers; and her siblings, Mary (Floyd) Lightfoot, Richard (Dorothy) Brown, Marjorie (Albert) Torrey, Mathilda (Fritz) Yaeger, and Phyllis (Othel) Caraway.

Rita’s family would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses and Staff of Beaver Dam Hospital, especially Amadou, Maddy, Brenda and Isle.

In lieu of flowers, cards and memorials in Rita’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Rita Brothers Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com