The family of Rita Nelson is deeply saddened to announce that she died January 29 at her home in Kansas City, MO. A sixth-generation Platte Countian, Rita was born June 2, 1936, in Parkville to A. P. “Junior” and L. R. “Tommy” (Snider) Fleming. Independent-minded until the end, she lived life on her own terms.
An excellent student and self-described bookworm in her early years, Rita enjoyed Girl Scouts, swimming, dancing, country music, and playing high school basketball. After graduating from Park Hill High School in 1954, Rita turned down college scholarships and married her long-time boyfriend, N. E. “Gene” Nelson. The couple had four children and celebrated their 63rd anniversary a few months before Gene died in 2018.
After her children were born, Rita worked at Ben Franklin Distribution Center in North Kansas City for 15 years. She began in 1963 as a stock record clerk making $55 per week. In the mid-1960s, Rita was among several employees who took a test to determine their aptitude for managing the company’s new mainframe computer system. Although she scored the highest, the job was given to a man. Nevertheless, she continued with the company until 1979, rising to the level of Data Center Manager and Customer Processing Manager.
While working full-time, Rita somehow managed to keep a clean house, cook a family dinner every night, and provide a loving home in Riverside. In her free time, she loved bowling, golf, playing bridge, fishing, and boating at the Lake of the Ozarks. An avid Chiefs and Royals fan, she was also a sports mom, keeping score for her sons’ little league games.
When their children were grown, Gene’s company transferred him to Wake County, NC, in 1979. While there, Rita worked in the accounting department of Almay Cosmetics, and then in the alumni relations department of St. Mary’s College. She loved their life in North Carolina next to a pine tree-lined golf course where they made many good friends and learned to prefer North Carolina bbq.
In the late 1990s, Rita traveled between Raleigh and Kansas City to care for her aging parents. In the early 2000s, she and Gene sold their home in North Carolina and retired to Platte City. They lived there until Gene’s death.
Rita then moved to an independent living community until she was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer a couple of years ago. At that point, she moved in with her eldest daughter and two grand-kitties. She remained sharp and witty until her final days, reading books, playing online bridge, completing two daily crossword puzzles, and expressing indignation with the government.
Rita will be lovingly remembered by her children and their spouses: Cindy Conser, Marty and Andrea Nelson, Bob and Denise Nelson, and Lisa Williams. She leaves ten grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren. Other beloved family members include her brother and sister-in-law, Dan and Connie Fleming; three sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband and a great-granddaughter.
The family is planning a celebration of life for both Rita and Gene in June.
