Rita Jane Grossnickle 1943 - 2014
GROSSNICKLE, SHIPLEY, NEWMAN, ROBINSON, TADLOCK
Posted By: Connie J Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/1/2014 at 15:26:03
Mapleton Press
30 October 2014Rita J. Grossnickle, 70, of Wayne, Neb., and formerly of Mapleton, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, Oct. 16, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City.
Rita Jane Grossnickle was born Dec. 14, 1943, in Mapleton, the daughter of Dellace Richard and Barbara Arlene (Shipley) Newman.
Due to family circumstances during the war, Rita was embraced by her Aunt Helena and Uncle Othie Newman, and taken into their home and raised like one of their own. Rita lovingly claimed Helena and Othie as Mom and Dad. They lived in Smithland and moved to California while Rita was in her early teens.
On Aug. 18, 1962, Rita married David Robinson. They made their home in Westminster, Calif., and had a son, James, born in 1963, and a daughter, Jolene, born in 1965.
After a separation, Rita moved back to Iowa in December 1966. She lived in Sioux City and was employed by Zenith from December 1966 to May 1970 when she moved to Smithland,
In October 1969, met her future husband, Leonard Tadlock. They were wed Oct. 27, 1972, in Rock County, Minn. They had two sons, Lou Robinson, born in 1970 and Len Tadlock, born in 1973. Leonard passed away Jan. 17, 1975. Rita was needed as a stay-at-home mom during this time in her life and the lives of her children.
In 1977, Rita met Bud Grossnickle with whom she shared 24 years of her life. They were married Dec. 19, 1998, and Rita was widowed July 8, 2001.
Rita sought and gained guardianship of her first grandson, Bobby J. “BJ” Robinson, on Sept. 19, 1981, three days after his birth. She then followed in the loving tradition she came to know, and raised BJ as her own son.
In September 2002, Rita relocated to Wayne, Neb., due to personal hardship. She lived with her daughter-in-law, Amanda (O’Quinn) Robinson and her children, Maria and GW, who lovingly were her caretakers until her death on Oct. 16.
Even when times were tough, as they often were, Rita was always resourceful. She was always worried about everybody else and somehow provided others with little things they needed, like $5 in the birthday card to the grandkids. She saved all the family memorabilia and was a patriot to her country.
During later years, she volunteered at the Wayne Senior Center, especially in their quilting projects. It’s been said she had the biggest heart you could ever have!
Survivors include her children, James Robinson, and his wife, Angela, of Hayward, Wis., Jolene Hyde of Pahrump, Nev., Louis Robinson of Tucumcari, N.M., Len Tadlock and his wife, Amanda, of Mapleton, and BJ Robinson and his wife, Stephanie, of Newcastle, Neb.; a daughter-in-law, Amanda Robinson of Wayne, Neb.; 14 grandchildren and one on the way; three great-grandchildren and one on the way; one half-sister, Nancy Speck of Sioux City; aunts; uncles; and other extended family members.
Along with her husbands, Leonard and Bud, Rita was preceded in death by her parents; her mom and dad, Aunt Helena and Uncle Othie; and three brothers, Don, Ron “Spook,” and John Newman; and two sisters, Maddie and Vicky Newman.
Funeral Service was Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 10 a.m.
at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton with Bobby J. “BJ” Robinson (Rita’s son) officiating.
Message in Music included “If We Never Meet This Side of Heaven,” “Blessed Assurance,” and “Lead Me Home.”
Pallbearers were Jay Shaw, Jeremy Sebade, Mike Dance, Jack Allen,
Kenneth Hopkins, and Kenneth “Turk” Hopkins II.
Honorary Pallbearers were Rita’s grandchildren – 14 grandchildren and “One on the Way” and three great-grandchildren and “One on the Way.”
Visitation was Tuesday, Oct. 21, from 5-7 p.m. with Closing Prayer at 7 p.m. at Armstrong Funeral Home, Mapleton.
Interment was at Mt. Hope Cemetery , Mapleton.
Following the graveside service at Mt. Hope Cemetery, everyone was invited and encouraged to join the family at the American Legion Hall in Mapleton for a time of sharing food and renewed memories of Rita..
Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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