July 17, 2026 – Town of Wayne, WI – Mary Kay Rate, 83, of the town of Wayne, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Thursday, on July 16, 2026.
Mary Kay was born on May 17, 1943, in West Bend, the daughter of the late Gregory and Elvira (nee Bonlender) Wettstein. On October 6, 1962, she was united in marriage to Gerald Rate at St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church in West Bend. Her and Gerald invested their life on the Rate Family Farms until their retirement in 2000. Mary Kay also worked part time at C & R Catering, which she enjoyed doing. Above all else she loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She treasured her role as grandma and great grandma.
Those Mary Kay leaves behind to cherish her memory include her husband of 63 years, Gerald; four children, Bill (Laurie) Rate, Ross (Michele) Rate, Laurie (Jacob) Bauch, and Patty (Randy) Peters; grandchildren, Zach (Megan) Rate, Greg (Rachel) Rate, Lizzy (Mike) Quentin, Lyndsay (Mike) Burmesch, Arabella Bauch, and Penny Bauch; great-grandchildren, Trevor Foster, Bailey Rate, Scarlette Rate, Edmond Quentin, and Cameron Burmesch; a brother-in-law, Fred “Fritz” Rate; other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, Mary Kay was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Marie Rate.
VISITATION: Mary Kay’s family will greet relatives and friends on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Resurrection Catholic Church, 215 North Main Street, in Allenton, from 1 p.m. until 2:45 p.m.
SERVICE: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Resurrection Catholic Church in Allenton. A private family burial will be held the next day at St. Anthony Cemetery.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt appreciation to Cedar Lake Community Center.
Memorials to St. Judes Hospital are appreciated.
The Myrhum – Patten Funeral & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Mary Kay’s arrangements. Additional information and guest book may be found at www.myrhum-patten.com.