R. Rita Ford Guernsey, 94, died on March 17, 2026. Born on May 4, 1931, in Janesville, Wisconsin, the daughter of Leo J. and Grace Garin Ford, she was a 1949 graduate of Janesville High School and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1953. She married Anthony H. Guernsey on Aug. 17, 1963. He preceded her in death on Jan. 4, 2013.
Rita is survived by her daughter, Julia E. Guernsey (Michael Love); her son, Michael A. Guernsey (Xolaira Ayala); and her daughter, Sarah E. Guernsey (Richard Holland) of Oak Park; her grandchildren, Abigail and Jack Kappelman and Isabel Love, Xolange Montilla Ayala, and Max and Hank Holland. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Mary Ford Owen and Rose Ford Cummins; and her brothers, Bill, Jim, and Jerry Ford.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at Ascension Church in Oak Park at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 24. A visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the church before the Mass. Interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Janesville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Feed My Starving Children (https://www.fmsc.org).