Rita L. Nelson

September 29, 1953 - April 28, 2020

Rita L. Nelson, age 66, passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2020, at home near Bear Valley. She was born on September 29, 1953, in Richland Center the daughter of Arnold Benford and Florence Juanita (Swenink) Liska. As a child, Rita attended Wheat Hollow School from 1st -6th grades. She graduated from Ithaca High School then attended beauty culture school in Madison. Rita enjoyed growing up in Wheat Hollow on a small farm with many of her childhood friends close by. They enjoyed picking blackberries, playing in the creek, and chasing fire flies. Rita married her high school sweetheart and prom date, David, on June 8th, 1974. Rita took a job at a beauty shop in Plain, along with helping her husband on the farm in Bear Valley. Together the couple raised four sons which was Rita’s most important job. She was active in the Willow Valley Church, PTA, Ithaca Foundation, Ithaca Pride, Farm Safety 4 Just Kids Day Camp, and Farm Wives. She also decorated the Little Brown Church. She enjoyed gardening, arts and crafts, baking, and her collie dogs. Rita never met a stranger. Everyone was always greeted with a big hello. She loved to visit with her close friends and those she had not seen in a while. She genuinely enjoyed spreading Love. Rita was known for her hugs. So much love and affection flowed from her embrace. Rita enjoyed her job at Oakwood Fruit Farm where she dipped apples for 19 years until her health caused her to retire. She loved her orchard family. Rita battled diabetes and heart issues, but she never let that interfere with her love for her family. She treasured watching her boys grow up with her nieces and nephews and all of their activities. The addition of three daughters-in-law to the family was very special to her. She was so proud of each of them. For the last twelve years, Rita’s heart was warmed by her grandchildren. Survivors include her husband, David Nelson of Bear Valley; 3 children, Kyle (Kari) Nelson of Richland Center, WI, Tyler (Lindsay) Nelson of Onalaska, WI, Brady (Stephanie) Nelson of Arena; 3 grandchildren, Carter, Cayden, and Macey Nelson; 3 sisters and a brother, Shirley (Rodney) Gochenaur of Cazenovia, WI, Nita Liska of Richland Center, WI, Amy (Bill) Bindl of Richland Center, WI, Arnie (Deb) Liska of Lone Rock, WI; 3 sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law, Nancy (Tom) Clary of Bear Valley, WI, Margaret (Arthur) Simpson of Richland Center, WI, Larry (Sherry) Nelson of Ithaca, Barbara (Burf) Mayfield of Bear Valley, WI; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her son, Ryan Nelson; parents, Arnold Sr. and Juanita Liska; father-in-law/mother-in-law, Norbert & Betty Nelson. A celebration of Rita’s life will be held on Sunday, May 2, 2021 from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM at the Kaul Park in Bear Valley. Funeral services and burial were held for immediate family at the Brown Church Cemetery a year ago on May, 2, 2020.