Sarah Reiss

Sarah Reiss, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully at Anita’s Gardens in Grafton, Wis., on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at the age of 74.

Sarah was born on Nov. 5, 1950, in Port Washington, Wis., the daughter of Columbus and Ione Ratatori.  

She grew up in Port Washington and graduated from Port Washington High School, where she was active in high school musicals and the summer theater.

Sarah married Earl (Skip) Reiss Jr. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Port Washington on Aug. 24, 1968.

Sarah worked for more than 30 years in the student services department at Milwaukee Area Technical College in Mequon. In her final few years there, she was part of a team that developed the software program for future registrations. 

Sarah believed in the benefits of an education. While working full-time, she continued her education and received a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Concordia University in Mequon.

After Sarah retired, she and Earl made their way to Las Vegas, N.M., where they would spend 13 years making new friends, hosting parties and exploring the Wild West. In 2018, they came back to Wisconsin for the support of family to help Sarah through her battle with Alzheimer’s.

Sarah was an avid reader and loved old movies and baking desserts for all to enjoy. 

Sarah is survived by her husband Earl; her two children, Tim (Amy) Reiss and Rachel (John) Safstrom; and her three grandchildren, Spencer Reiss, Theresa Mae (Monrey) Ortiz and Madison Reiss. 

Sarah is further survived by her two sisters, Rozanne (Jerome) Zeiger and Teri (Brian) Bradley, her brother David (Mary Ann) Ratatori, sister-in-law Virginia (Bill) Katzke, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

A celebration of Sarah’s life will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 701 Washington St., Grafton, Wis. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. with a memorial service starting at 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Paul Lutheran School in Grafton are suggested.

Eernisse Funeral Home, Port Washington, is honored to serve the Reiss family.  

Online condolences may be left at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.