Rita M. Kaye

Mrs. Rita Kaye, 96, longtime resident of Lake Geneva, passed away on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Geneva Lake Manor in Lake Geneva. Rita and her family were long-time summer residents of Lake Geneva, beginning in 1964. Her family, friends and neighbors will always remember Rita as a kind and loving person with a positive outlook on life. She had a charming sense of humor and leaves all of us with many fond memories. Rita was born March 18, 1925, in Aurora, Illinois. Her parents were Louis and Marie (Holzmacher) Leon. Louis Leon owned and operated recreational bowling alleys in Illinois. He opened a bowling alley in La Salle, Illinois in the early 1930's, which he operated until his death. Young Rita and her siblings all worked part-time at the business. In 1949 Rita married Johnnie Kaye, her husband of 60 years. He had a 14-piece ‘Big Band' orchestra that played throughout the Midwest and at The Riviera Ballroom in the 1950's and 1960's. He passed away in 2009. In 1966, John and Rita purchased a home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. This was used for many years as a summer residence. From 1960's to the 1980's, Rita owned and managed a swim suit business in the Riviera Building in Downtown Lake Geneva. Rita moved to Geneva Crossing in Lake Geneva, in 2014. She was a member of the St. Valentine Church, Peru, IL, and St. Francis de Sales Church in Lake Geneva. Rita is survived by her two sons Jim and Jack, who live in Lake Geneva. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, sister-in-laws, and other relatives. She is preceded in death by her husband John, her parents, brothers, sisters, brother-in-laws, sister-in-laws and nephews. Private burial will be held at the St. Vincent's Cemetery in La Salle, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Aurora at Home Hospice Care (116 N. Dodge St., Burlington, WI 53105) in Rita's name. Lazarczyk Family Funeral Homes, Steinke Chapel of Lake Geneva, WI, is proudly serving the family. Service Details.