Rita Scallon

MADISON - Rita Marie Scallon (née Baryenbruch) passed away peacefully in Madison, Wis., on February 4, 2026, at the age of 94.

She was born on Christmas Day, 1931 in Spring Green, Wis., to Arthur and Valeria (Doyle) Baryenbruch, the fourth in a loving family of nine children. The timing of her arrival was fitting: Rita was a faithful Catholic her entire life. As kids, her siblings found a list of Rita’s sins hidden inside the piano bench; she had written them down so she wouldn’t forget before confession.

Rita loved her parents, who were well-liked, hardworking people. After serving in the Army during World War I, her father, Arthur, moved from Manitowoc to Spring Green to work at the Koerth Dairy and Cheese Factory. It was in Spring Green that he met his wife, Valeria Doyle, a fun-loving girl with a great sense of humor. Arthur worked for years delivering milk door to door with the help of his horse, “Jerry the Horse,” and his son, Jerry Baryenbruch.

Rita’s childhood was set against the backdrop of World War II. Her older sister Ramona “Monie” worked at the Badger Ordnance plant near Sauk City. Monie always had spare change in the pockets of her clothes, which Rita sometimes “borrowed” to buy ice cream after school. In 1944, Rita’s brother, Roland “Rollie,” a U.S. Army Air Corps Staff Sergeant went missing in action after his plane was shot down by enemy fire near Cannes, France. Her whole life, Rita would recall the joyous day her family learned that Rollie was still alive, being held as a prisoner of war: She watched her father dance with the telegram man in the front yard.

At Spring Green High School, Rita was a cheerleader, drum majorette, and played the saxophone in the band. She and her four closest friends were known as The Big Five. On the weekends, they would dance at Rainbow Gardens. Her mother was one of 15 siblings, so there were cousins, and aunts and uncles in abundance. After graduating from high school, Rita took the Civil Service Exam and secured a job with the United States Armed Forces Institute in Madison. There she lived in a rooming house on North Frances Street for university students (many of whom were her cousins and siblings) run by her widowed aunt, Margaret Motelet. Those were happy times, with festive dinners and celebrations.

On June 6, 1953, in Spring Green, Wis., she married Dennis Scallon, a farm boy from the Irish Ridge, north of Spring Green. Together, they moved to the east side of Madison, where they raised six children in a three-bedroom home that was bursting at the seams. The neighborhood was filled with rambunctious kids, staying out until the streetlights went on. Rita called the kids in at night in time for baths and the recitation of the Rosary with all the kids on their knees, except the baby at the time, who had a spot on top of the bed. Rita and Dennis were faithful members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, lived next door to the dear Klitzman family for 57 years, and had a friend group, coined “The Sweethearts,” with whom they shared many fun times.   

During her years at home, Rita cooked meals, sewed clothes, and gave her kids (and some brave others) a few unfortunate home perms in the ‘70s and ‘80s. This was while Dennis worked several jobs, including a 36-year-long career in the Air National Guard at Truax Field. She got out the sprinkler bottle every night and starched and ironed his uniform on the kitchen table for the next day.  

As her kids got older, Rita went back to work outside the home. She sought work at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, first in the purchasing department of the Peterson Building, then as a secretary at the university’s College of Agriculture. She enjoyed speed-walking through campus, up and down Bascom Hill over her lunch hour with her friend and workmate, Betty O’Donnell.    

Asked what she hoped to be remembered for, Rita said it was dedication to family. After her kids were grown, she continued to support them and their families, cultivating a culture of fun and belonging. She embodied the best of her Catholic faith: humility, devotion, love, and acceptance of all.

She was a devoted spouse to Dennis until his passing in 2012. She also supported her granddaughter, Kenzi Valentyn, who passed away in 2017 after a lifelong battle with Kearns-Sayre Syndrome. Rita adored her 14 grandchildren, all of whom have many stories of Grandma and her legendary one-liners. In her later years, she was delighted to spend time with her new great-grandchildren.

In the last three and a half years of her life, Rita lived in the Sebring Assisted Care Residence in Madison, where she was cared for by the loving staff, who appreciated her laugh and quick wit. Her family is grateful for the love and grace they showed Rita in her final years.

Rita was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis; her granddaughter, Kenzi Valentyn; her parents, Arthur and Valeria; and her siblings: Roland (Pauline), Ramona (Ken Stephens), Jack (Mary Ann), Art, and Ruth Stoddard.   

She is survived by her children, Nancy (Tim) Valentyn of Verona, Monie Scallon (Miguel Mostaza) of Madrid, Spain, Kevin (Betsy) Scallon of Cross Plains, Debbie Fairweather (Mike Meissen) of Madison, Greg (Shelly) Scallon of Minneapolis, Minn., and Peggy Scallon (Mark Redsten) of Madison. She is also survived by her siblings: Jerry (Mary Lou), Rosie Porter and Michael (Rhonda); her sister-in-law, Shirley Baryenbruch; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.  

She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren: Brett (Mackenzie), and Connor (Kate) Valentyn; Daniel and Alexandra Mostaza Scallon (Paul Collins); Katie (Mike Gallo), Andrew (Laura) and Sarah Scallon (Peter Kleinschmidt); Ian (Shelby) and Dylan Fairweather (Kelevi Ganilau); Eli and Quinn Scallon; and Oliver and Genevieve Redsten; and great-grandchildren, Sloan, Wells, Beau, Jack, Cora, Leo, Finn, Zoe, Ella, Eddie, Owen, August, Milo and Meli.

Memorials in Rita’s name will support the Kenzi Valentyn Vision Research Awards. Donations may be made to the McPherson ERI Cycle for Sight Fund - Kenzi’s Team. A link directly to the donation page is below.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 7450 University Ave., Middleton, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, with Father Michael Resop presiding. Visitation will be held at Gunderson Fitchburg Funeral and Cremation Care, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, February 27, 2026, and also at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Saturday.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761