Rita Reierstad Leskovar

Born in Oslo, Norway, to the late Nevvy and Leif Reierstad, Rita came to the United States in 1962 to experience, in her own words, “the greatest country of the world.” At just 21 years old, she began her journey in Roswell, New Mexico, before boarding a Greyhound bus that brought her to Atlanta, Georgia—a place she would lovingly call home for the rest of her life.

Shortly after moving to Atlanta, Rita fell in love and was a young bride building a new life. She then became a devoted mother to Stacy and Rhonda. Once her children were in school, she returned to the workforce, first at Davison’s and later at Lockheed Martin, where she proudly built her career until retirement.

In 1999, Rita met her beloved Jim Lescovar. They married and shared a life filled with travel and love. She cherished accompanying Jim on his work trips and especially treasured their visits back to her beloved Norway. Rita often said their honeymoon in Tahiti was her favorite trip of all, with Hawaii a close second.

A proud Norwegian through and through, Rita had a lifelong passion for cross-country skiing and ice skating. She delighted in watching Norway compete in the Winter Olympics and filled her home with reminders of her heritage, including her treasured blue and white Porsgrund plates depicting fjords, wildlife, and Norwegian tradition.

Rita was gifted in the art of crocheting and enjoyed her time as a member of the Marietta Gardening Club. She adored her Norwegian Forest cat, Neve, who was her loyal companion for 16½ years.

Those who knew Rita, will remember her impeccable sense of style—always polished, always elegant, even at a moment’s notice. She had a remarkable talent for selecting the perfect gift and took great joy in decorating and celebrating Christmas. Her dining room table was always set with her beautiful Christmas China. She loved to deliver homemade baked goods and especially her famous raspberry preserves during the Christmas season.

Rita will also be fondly remembered by her neighbors as a gracious and enthusiastic hostess. At “Jim and Rita’s Fairfield Tavern,” guests could always count on shrimp cocktail, cheese and crackers, and, on special occasions, hummingbird cake.

Along with her husband Jim and children Stacy Edmondson, Rhonda Poindexter, James Leskovar, and Staisha (Geoff) Riehl, Rita is survived by her grandchildren, Jessica Edmondson, Steven Poindxter and Kristen Johnson, Great Grandchildren, Maya and Bella Edmondson and Reese Johnson, and her family Unni and Kari Wedahl, Merethe, Peter, Paal and Morten (Anker-Nilssen) and Ove Andersen, all of whom will forever cherish her warmth, generosity, and vibrant spirit.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Georgia Chapter at nationalmssociety.org. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at H.M. Patterson & Son – Canton Hill Chapel, Marietta, Georgia