Rita Nielsen

Rita Catherine Nielsen, 91, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed away peacefully in Colorado Springs, Colorado on March 14, 2017. She was born in Omaha, Nebraska on June 15, 1925 and retired to Colorado Springs in 1984.

While working at the phone company in 1946, Rita met her husband, James Nielsen, on his return from the European Theater of WWII. It was love at first sight and after a month they were engaged. Their never-ending commitment to each other over 71 years of marriage was and will continue to be a true inspiration to anyone blessed enough to hear their story. Rita loved to laugh and passed along her sense of humor and fierce love for adventure to her family. She was a social butterfly that greatly enjoyed entertaining and traveling with her children and grandchildren. Rita showed all those that knew her, that regardless of circumstances, one could always stay young at heart.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory: her loving husband James Nielsen, her children Cathy Boone (Eldon), Jim (Margie), Steve (Jane), Suzi McIntire (Terry), and Maribeth Weems (Richard), as well as 22 precious grandchildren and 33 sweet great grandchildren.

Rosary and visitation will take place Friday, March 17, 2017 from 7:00-9:00 pm at Swan-Law Funeral Directors, 501 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs. A Funeral Mass is schedule for Saturday, March 18, 2017 at 10:00 am at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 6455 Brook Park, Colorado Springs (Dublin and Academy.) Burial to follow at Fairview Cemetery, Colorado Springs.