Obituary for Rita Grossnickle
Rita J. Grossnickle Wayne, NE - Rita J. Grossnickle, 70, of Wayne, Nebraska, and formerly of Mapleton, Iowa passed away unexpectedly Thursday, October 16, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa. The funeral service will be Wednesday, October 22, at 10:00 a.m. at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton with Rita's son, Bobby J. "BJ" Robinson, officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery at Mapleton. Visitation will be Tuesday, October 21 after 5:00 p.m. with a closing prayer at 7:00 p.m. at the Armstrong Funeral Home in Mapleton. The family is receiving condolences on line at www.armstrongfuneral.com. Rita Jane Grossnickle was born December 14, 1943, in Mapleton, Iowa, 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 August 18, 1962, Rita married David Robinson. They made their home in Westminster, California 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 of 1966. She lived in Sioux City and was employed by Zenith from December of 1966 to May of 1970 when she moved to Smithland, Iowa. In October of 1969, met her future husband, Leonard Tadlock. They were wed October 27, 1972, in Rock County, Minnesota. They had two sons, Lou Robinson born in 1970 and Len Tadlock born in 1973. Leonard passed away January 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 December 19, 1998, and Rita was widowed July 8, 2001. Rita sought and gained guardianship of her first grandson, Bobby J. "BJ" Robinson, on September 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 of 2002, Rita relocated to Wayne, Nebraska 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 October 16, 2014. 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, Wisconsin, Jolene Hyde of Pahrump, Nevada, Louis Robinson of Tucumcari, New Mexico, Len Tadlock and his wife, Amanda, of Mapleton, Iowa, and BJ Robinson and his wife, Stephanie, of Newcastle, Nebraska; a daughter-in-law, Amanda Robinson of Wayne, Nebraska; 14 grandchildren and one on the way; three great grandchildren and one on the way; one half sister, Nancy Speck of Sioux City, Iowa; 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.
Service:
Wednesday, October 22, 2014 10:00 a.m.
Armstrong Funeral Home 210 South 5th Street Mapleton, Iowa 51034
Visitation:
Tuesday, October 21, 2014 After 5:00 p.m.
Armstrong Funeral Home Mapleton, Iowa
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Service:
Wednesday, October 22, 2014 10:00 a.m.
Armstrong Funeral Home 210 South 5th Street Mapleton, Iowa 51034
Visitation:
Tuesday, October 21, 2014 After 5:00 p.m.
Armstrong Funeral Home Mapleton, Iowa
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