Rita Elaine Nurse

Rita Elaine Nurse, the daughter of Theodore and Mary “Etta” (Timmins) Werthman was born on June 12, 1926, in Cherokee, IA. She was raised on a farm south of Cherokee. She attended country school until the 8th grade and then Immaculate Conception High School in Cherokee graduating as the class Valedictorian in 1944. Following high school, she worked for N.W. Bell for 2 years. Elaine married Russ Blake in 1946 and to this union two daughters were born: Sharon and Pamela. They later divorced.

On July 27, 1966, Elaine married Howard Kenneth Nurse. They lived in Hartley for several years before moving to Spencer. She enjoyed being a Mary Kay Consultant for 32 years. She belonged to the Women of the Moose for 32 years, where she served as Star Recorder, she received the highest personal honor and degree awarded to members, College of Regents and the honor of Academy of Friendship. She liked to play cards, especially Bridge and later 500, which she took very seriously. She enjoyed making afghans for each and all members of the whole family. She also liked to do crossword puzzles and was an avid Twins, Vikings and Cyclone fan.

Elaine passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Vista Prairie at Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Sheldon, IA at the age of 100. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Kenneth in 2008; her son-in-law, Grant Mears; her stepson, Dennis Nurse; her brothers: Don, Bob, Dale and Wayne Werthman and one sister, Mary Weinreich.

Left to cherish her memory are her two daughters: Sharon Michailidis (Bill) of Sioux Falls, SD and Pamela Mears of Sioux City, IA; step-daughter, Linda Peters of Mitchell, SD; 7 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; 4 step-great grandchildren; step-daughter-in-law, Denise Nurse of Hartley, IA; sister-in-law, Jan Werthman; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Memorials may be directed to Vista Prairie at Fieldcrest, Moose Lodge in Spencer, St. Patrick’s in Sheldon, IA or Trinity Heights Queen of Peace in Sioux City, IA.