Loverne B Nitzel

Our beloved Mother, Grandmother and Aunt, Loverne B. Ritta (Neish) Nitzel was born August 22, 1915 in Waukegan, Illinois, and passed peacefully home to the Lord on August 23, 2012. She was 97 and one day old. Loverne is survived by her three daughters, Rita J. Neish Pendleton, Donna E. Neish Hancock, and Nancy L. Neish Jenkins; grandchildren, James Pendleton, Cindy Pendleton-Sarkella, Gwyn Welford, Ken Hancock, Kevin Hancock, David K. Grimm, Rhonda L. Dawson, Kurt Neish, Rene Neish, and Richard J. Jenkins; 21 great grandchildren, 6 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her second husband, Norman Nitzel, son James R. Neish and four siblings, Donald Ritta, Jack Ritta, Edith Cashmore and Beverly Johnson.

Loverne was a very unique and special lady. Her smile enchanting, her laugh infectious. She loved life and found joy in all of life’s challenges. She was FUN! FUN! FUN!

Loverne moved to Phoenix, AZ in 1944 with her first husband, James D. Neish and their four kids all packed into a 1937 Chrysler, pulling a small trailer.

It was wartime and to make ends meet, Loverne joyfully took in washing and ironing for women working in local war factories. Later, she worked for Desert Citrus Company as a fruit grader; high school cafeteria manager and owner of two restaurants, her favorite being Loverne’s Waffle Shop, located on Central and Roosevelt in downtown Phoenix.

At age sixty-two Loverne became a beautician and had a small shop in her home. She finally put down her clippers and scissors and retired at age 80.

At age eighty-five Loverne moved to Fellowship Square (2005). She loved life there, loved dressing up for dinner every evening and enjoyed socializing with her many special and caring friends. She became known in the dining room as the “social butterfly” and was later appointed the official “greeter.”

Loverne will always be remembered for her beautiful smile, great personality and the unconditional love and encouragement she gave to her family, extended family and many, many, friends.

A private funeral ceremony is planned.