Rita Marie (Thomas) Nuciforo, Beloit, WI  (1921 - 2012)

January 17, 1921 - December 23, 2012
Rita Marie (Thomas) Nuciforo, 91, of Beloit, WI, died peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. Rita was born on Jan. 17, 1921, in Saginaw, MI, the daughter of Ben and Mary (Grabowski) Thomas. She attended school in Saginaw through her high school graduation in 1939. Rita graduated from nurse’s training school at St. Mary’s Hospital, Saginaw, MI, in 1942. She enlisted in the Army where she served as an Army nurse during WWII until her discharge in 1944. While in the service, Rita met David S. Nuciforo on a blind date. After 6 months they were married on May 5, 1944, in San Antonio, TX, at Fort Sam Houston. It was the start of a 44 year marriage and a love affair that lasted beyond a life time.
Rita worked as an OB nurse at Beloit Memorial Hospital through the 1950’s until she elected to be a homemaker. Throughout her years following employment Rita continued to keep her nurses license current and traveled the country and the world to business conferences and conventions with her husband Dave, who was an executive with Dell Food Specialties. Rita was a member of the Beloit Junior Women’s Club, the Beloit Country Club, Beloit Elks Club, Beloit Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees and Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church.
Rita was an avid ballroom dancer and line dancer. She loved to give to philanthropic causes and charities and enjoyed knitting, sewing, crocheting, baking and doing wood seek puzzles. Rita was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching hockey and playing golf. She loved and adored her grandchildren, great grandchildren and her grand dogs, Cooper and Luke. She cherished every moment she spent with all of them.
Survivors include her son, David Joseph “Pete” (Wanda Mahlum) Nuciforo of Beloit; daughter, Mary Kay (Jim Kutz) Schmale of Beloit; daughter-in-law, Marcia (Dennis) Nuciforo of Beloit; grandchildren: Carrie (Justin) Anderson of Watertown, WI, Christopher (Jennifer) Schmale of Ames, IA, Chadd Nuciforo of Beloit and Susan (Josh) Brockman of Franklin, WI; great-grandchildren: Skylur, McKenna, Reece, and Raegan Anderson, Samantha and Kamryn Schmale; sister-in-law, Kay (Leo) Jones of Whitefish Bay, WI; numerous nieces; nephews; and members of the Mahlum and Kutz families.
Rita was predeceased by her grandparents; parents; Ben and Mary; her sister, Berniece; brother, Robert “Bob” Thomas; husband, Dave; and two sons, Gregory “Ben” and Dennis.
Rita’s family would like to Thank Dr. Thomas and her assistant, Rea Fritz, Dr. Wright, Dr. Klespis-Wick, Dr. Antle, third floor intermediate nurses especially Annette and Donelle for their attentiveness and compassion. All the CNA’s especially Stacy for her gift of laughter and Heather the dietary hostess for her kindness. Tracy Foss R.N. from At Home Health, Beth Armstrong and Sarah R.N. from Beloit Regional Hospice for their caring and compassion as Rita was called home. Additionally we would like to thank all of Rita’s friends that have offered prayers and support, and Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church especially Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl and Sister Judy.
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, in OUR LADY OF THE ASSUMPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2222 Shopiere Road, Beloit, WI, with Fr. Gary Krahenbuhl officiating. Entombment will be in Mt. Thabor Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, in the DALEY MURPHY WISCH & ASSOCIATES FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2355 Cranston Road, Beloit, WI, with a Scripture service at 4:45 p.m. Memorials may be given in Rita’s name to St. Jude’s Hospital for children or the American Heart Association.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at: www.daleymurphywisch.com