Seung Za Rhee, age 87, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2025, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was born on July 25, 1938, in Seoul, Korea, and lived a life marked by devotion to family, faith, service, and quiet strength.
Seung Za immigrated to the United States in 1965 to join her beloved husband, Jae Kwon Rhee, who was completing his residency at Beaumont Hospital. Together, they built a life in the Metropolitan Detroit area, where she resided for 53 years and became a cherished member of the Korean-American community. In 2018, she moved to Milwaukee to be closer to her family, where she spent the remainder of her life.

A woman of deep intelligence, elegance, and forgiveness, Seung Za was most proud of raising her family and serving others. She earned her real estate license and went on to serve the Korean community as a trusted real estate agent, receiving multiple top sales awards throughout her career. She also faithfully served as a Church Deacon at the Korean Presbyterian Church of Metro Detroit, a role that reflected her lifelong commitment to her faith.

Seung Za was a graduate of Sook Myung Women's College. Her hobbies brought her great joy and included golf, gardening, pottery, arts and crafts, and shopping. Even after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease following her move to Milwaukee, she continued to thrive within her assisted living community; she excelled at Rummikub and Triominos, loved painting, and was famously lucky at Bingo. Early into her diagnosis, she hand-copied the entire Korean Bible - a remarkable testament to her faith and discipline. Known affectionately as "a fighter," she was a favorite of care staff and residents alike.

She took immense joy in listening to her grandson Graeme play the piano and cherished time spent with her family. She often met life's challenges with her characteristic phrase, "forget about it," reflecting both her resilience and forgiving nature.

Seung Za was preceded in death by her parents, Sun Jun Choi and Myung Jo Lee, and by her beloved husband, Jae Kwon Rhee. She is survived by her son, David; her grandson, Graeme; and her daughter-in-law, Dylana, all of whom were the pride and joy of her life.

A memorial service will be held on December 22, 2025, at 10:00am at the O'Brien/Sullivan Funeral Home, located at 41555 Grand River Avenue, Novi, Michigan 48375.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wisconsin Parkinson's Association

Seung Za Rhee will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, a devoted servant of her church, a pillar of her community, and a woman whose strength, grace, and kindness left a lasting impression on all who knew her.