Rhonda Sue Funke

Rhonda Sue (Lange) Funke lived a life of profound service, unwavering faith, and devoted family love. Born on April 28, 1961, to William and Geraldine (Druwe) Lange on a beef cattle farm in Oregon, Wisconsin, she grew up with her two sisters, Debbie Lange and Karen Deegan, in the rolling countryside of Dane County. Her father, William August Lange, was born on December 24, 1935, in Evansville, Wisconsin, and together with Geraldine, they raised their daughters in the traditions of rural Wisconsin life—hard work, responsibility, and deep connection to the land.

After graduating from Oregon High School, Rhonda pursued her calling to serve others through healthcare at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied Physical Therapy. The university's physical therapy program, which began planning courses in the 1920s, was among the oldest and most respected in the nation. It was at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that Rhonda met her future husband, Scott Funke, beginning a love story that would span nearly 42 years.

Rhonda devoted 35 years of her professional life to serving others as a physical therapist specializing in orthopedics. She worked at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center, which traces its origins to 1903 when Dr. William F. Malone established the hospital in Milwaukee, ATI Physical Therapy, a company founded in 1996 that expanded to hundreds of clinics nationwide, and ProHealth Care, all in outpatient clinic settings. Her professional excellence was documented through patient ratings, earning a perfect 5.0-star rating on Healthgrades for her compassionate care, with patients noting she listened carefully, explained conditions well, and never rushed appointments.

Rhonda was described as "an incredibly intelligent person, but never prideful" who was "always inquisitive, always respectful, and driven solely by the purpose of patient healing". She understood that healing was not only physical, but also emotional and spiritual, and she carried that understanding into every patient interaction. Her colleagues and patients remembered her for having "a God-given persona that allowed her to immediately gain the trust of her patients which enabled her to also provide a counseling role in their healing".

As a wife and mother, Rhonda found her deepest joy in family life. She and Scott settled in New Berlin, Wisconsin, where they raised their two sons, David and Mark. David married Mari Giovanna Colaiacomo, a union celebrated on their wedding website, while Mark partnered with someone named Lee. Rhonda's greatest delight in recent years came from her grandson, Gus, with whom she maintained nightly FaceTime calls that brought her immense joy regardless of her cancer-related trials.

Faith was the cornerstone of Rhonda's life. She "put complete trust in her faith and the redemptive work of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" and was an active member of Woodridge Community Church in New Berlin, a Reformed Baptist congregation that adheres to the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. Her favorite Bible verse, Psalm 46:10 – "Be still, and know that I am God" – encouraged her to find peace and recognize God's love, control, presence, and provision even during times of overwhelming hardship.

Rhonda found deep meaning in life's simple pleasures. She loved annual trips to Door County with Scott, where their time together became a cherished tradition and source of renewal. At home in New Berlin, she enjoyed daily walks and bike rides around the neighborhood, feeding birds in her backyard—especially hummingbirds and cardinals—and planting beautiful flowers each year. She treasured cooking homemade meals for her family and baking cookies, understanding these acts of service as expressions of love and gratitude for God's blessings.

In approximately 2015, Rhonda was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, beginning what would become an eleven-year journey of courage and faith. She received exceptional care from medical teams at ProHealth Care, Froedtert Hospital, and other institutions, with particular gratitude expressed to Dr. Laura Raftery, an oncologist at ProHealth Care Regional Cancer Center, and Dr. Denise Uyar, a gynecologic oncologist at Froedtert Hospital's Clinical Cancer Center. Throughout her illness, Rhonda remained a source of strength and inspiration, reminding those around her that "faith does not remove every storm, but it does provide peace within it".

Rhonda passed away peacefully in her home on March 25, 2026, at the age of 64, after her courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She left behind her beloved husband Scott, sons David and Mark, grandson Gus, mother Geraldine, sisters Debbie and Karen, and countless others whose lives she had touched through her professional service, faithful witness, and genuine love. Her funeral service was held at Woodridge Community Church, and she was laid to rest at Prairie Home Cemetery in Waukesha, a municipal cemetery that has served the community for over 150 years. In lieu of flowers, her family requested donations to organizations supporting ovarian cancer research and patient care, ensuring that even in death, Rhonda's legacy of service would continue to help others facing similar battles.