Obituary of Rita Nyback

Rita Nyback of Camrose passed away Wednesday February 18, 2015 at the age of 84 years. Rita Maxine Wagner was born at Camrose, 18 May, 1930 to Fred and Ida Wagner who farmed a second-generation pioneer homestead just off the Correction Line east of town. She was the third of eight children and she often spoke of her world then being contained within one-mile by one-mile. The premature loss of Dad saw her shifted from rural to town life with other family. She used to dream of being a missionary to Africa but health challenges re-centered her focus back upon her community…and within which her calling would find both expression and fulfillment. She married Ken in 1948 and over the next quarter century, nine children would come to call them mom and dad, and although moving about for a few years, Camrose was home. Once established on the farm, Rita embraced and embodied the classic country life but always effectively found time and energy to contribute over and above to her community, serving on countless boards, committees and initiatives. She was a true daughter of Alberta who made a distinct and measurable personal difference in what this great province has accomplished. Even the children of her 4th generation have rested secure upon her lap…and there were never for her, greater moments of pure happiness than those. But far and away, her lived-out faith in God and her journey through the plans He laid out before her, constituted her greatest joy and accomplishment. Even finishing that journey without sight for the last decade, she still expressed at the end, that she'd seen it ALL…and left this world satisfied…and indeed a better place. Rita will be fondly remembered by her children Ken Jr. (Laura) of Camrose, Judy (Roy) Louis of Maskwacis, Wayne (Shannon) of Camrose, Melody (Daniel) Small of Edmonton, Julie (Sheldon) Dingwall of Saskatoon, Jackie (Mark) Mackenzie of Beaumont, D'Arcy Moses-Nyback of Enterprise, Jeff (Sherrie) of Camrose, and Chris of Edmonton; 18 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers Dennis Wagner, Bob (Myrna) Wagner, Gary (Judy) Wagner; and sisters Joan (Neil) Wood, and Carol (Bill) Beadman. Rita was predeceased by her husband Ken. A funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday February 28, 2015, from the Solid Rock Lutheran Church with Rev. Melody Small, Rev. Steve Holomis, and Rev. Collin Hauch officiating. A public time of visitation was held from 7:00-9:00 p.m., Friday February 27, 2015, from the Burgar Memorial Chapel. If family and friends so desire, memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the CNIB or to Parkland Lutheran Church.