Obituary of Rita Mae NIELSEN

September 11, 1933 – Tofield, Alberta
November 18, 2019 – Calgary, Alberta

Rita beloved wife of George Nielsen of Calgary, AB, passed away on November 18, 2019 at the age of 86 years.

Rita was raised in the Kingman, Alberta area and met her husband George while working at the Dodds Store. They married in 1951 and went on to live in Rosedale, Alberta, Estevan, Saskatchewan, and Calgary in 1971.

Rita’s focus was always on her family, starting with her siblings and cousins, aunts and uncles while growing up at home and at her grandparent’s farms. She loved to talk about these days. She then raised her five children, caring not only for them but for all their friends as well. She adored the grandchildren and great-granddaughters that followed. 

Rita had many adventures in life, traveling with George. One memorable trip was traveling across Canada in a motorhome fifteen years ago. 

Rita had a passion for all things sports! She loved the Yankees, Stampeders, Flames, and loved to golf. Her husband George will say otherwise, but Rita often beat him in their rounds of golf during their summers at Gull Lake.

Besides her loving husband George, Rita is survived by sons Eric (Kim), Gerald (Maureen), Glen; daughters, Cheryl (Owen, (d.2016)) Neiman, Beverly (Ian) Godfrey; grandchildren, Mark, Bradley, Darcy (Stephanie), Sarah (Greg), Jed, Paul, Noah, Kate, and Emily; great-granddaughters, Sophia, and Hazel. Rita is also survived her brother, Glenn; sisters, Nina, Sylvia, Betty, and Marilyn.

Rita was predeceased by her parents, Norman and Inet Wideman; her infant sister Mary; brothers Norman and Ken.

Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB), on Monday, November 25, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre. Condolences may be forwarded through www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

Thank you to the Doctors and caregivers that supported Rita through the past year. 

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 - 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: 1 (866) 412-4222.  www.albertacancer.ca/memorial. 

A tree will be planted in living memory of Rita Nielsen. McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY, AB, T2E 2V6,   Telephone: 403-243-8200.