Obituary of Anita Marie Alice Realsen

Anita passed away January 5, 2013 at 4 PM. Anita was a resident of Heritage Club Elder Community in Greenwood Village, CO. Anita was born April 8, 1925 to Wilhelm Frederich Neumann and Maria Louisa (Hamann) Neumann in Chelsea Township, near Medford, in Taylor County, Wisconsin. 'William Friedrich' was 52 years old and 'Mary' was 41 years old. Anita was number 9 of ten children born to William & Mary. William & Mary were of German ancestry. William arrived in the US at age 11 from a suburb of Berlin with his parents, August and Caroline, and younger brother Otto. The Hamanns emigrated from Germany about the same time as the Neumanns, in the 1880's. Mary Hamann, being 11 years younger, was born in Medford, Wisconsin. Anita graduated from Rib Lake High School, in 1943 and left for Milwaukee to pursue a career as a licensed cosmetologist. She lived with her sister Edith Neumann for a time, as well as her niece, Janice (Radtke) Gerke. Anita managed beauty shops in Milwaukee. After marriage to Harley, Anita became a full-time homemaker and house wife. Anita & Harley first met at the wedding of mutual friends, Roy and Lenore (Norie) Sande. They also sang in choir with Roy & Norie. Harley took his date home early from Roy and Norie's wedding and met up later in the basement of Anita's home in Milwaukee, where the after party had moved. Two short months later they eloped and were married in Waukegan, Illinois. The best man and maid of honor were Roy and Norie. Anita and Harley were married in 1958. Roy and Norie currently reside in Denver and had visited Anita 2 days prior to her passing. Anita's sister, Edith Zuleger, spent a couple of days in Denver with Anita over Thanksgiving with her daughter Vickie Straughn and Son-In-Law Dean Morse. It was a joyous and festive occasion. Anita and Harley had two children; Rick was born in 1960 and Tracy was born in 1961. They moved from Milwaukee to Burnsville, Minnesota in 1963 and to Phoenix, Arizona in 1972. Tracy and Rick graduated from Sunnyslope High School. Tracy graduated from Arizona State University and was a banker. Rick graduated from the University of Arizona in Pharmacy. Tracy was married to Eric Nelson, a banker from the Milwaukee area. Rick's wife Becky also graduated from Sunnyslope and University of Arizona as a Pharmacist. Anita is preceded in death by Eric and Tracy and their two little girls Sonja and Jessica. They passed away 2 weeks after the tragedy of 911 due to a murder suicide perpetrated by Eric. Anita is survived by her son Rick and his wife Becky. They have three children: Jaime (24); Matthew (22) and Abigail (17). Matthew is married to Ashley Realsen. Anita & Harley were avid Square Dancers, played card games, were Motor Home enthusiasts, traveled, and were involved in their Church. Their last family Church was Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church in Phoenix. They earlier sang in Church Choir and were involved in many church activities. Harley was born in Prairie Center, South Dakota and grew up on a farm nearby. Frankfurt was the hometown of the Realsens. Harley's father was a Norwegian immigrant and was married to Ethlyn Rose (Gavette) Realsen. Harley went to college in South Dakota, joined the Navy and worked in Milwaukee prior to marrying Anita. Harley eventually worked for the U.S. Department of Energy and retired at 65. He died at age 66 from cancer. Anita was previously married to James Krafcheck for 9 years. Jimmie died in 1957. God has blessed Anita and Harley with many wonderful friends, family and memories. Anita suffered from heart failure for a number of years but that never slowed her down. She drove to church, doctor appointments and shopping up until late February. At that time she took a very serious fall in the parking lot of her Independent Living apartment in Phoenix. Anita never recovered completely from that fall. She moved to Denver in late April and was given a pacemaker in May. Her ailing heart eventually wore out and she is now in Paradise with her Lord and Savior. Anita led a very rich and fulfilling life. She will be missed by many. The Family is planning a Memorial Service on Saturday, January 12, 2013, 1:00 p.m. at Ponderosa Valley Funeral Services, 10470 S. Progress Way, Suite 106, Parker, CO 80134. (303) 841-2405. Final Resting Place will be with her husband, Harley Realsen, at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix, Arizona. Service Information