The Central City Republican-Nonpareil | November 6, 2025

Rita G. Friesen, 82, of York, died Saturday, October 25, 2025 in York.

Rita was born on May 15, 1943 to Carl and Dorothy (Renquist) Wilson in Oakland, California.

On July 25, 1968, she was united in marriage to LeRoy (Pete) Friesen in York. After he passed away, she married Ernest Shelton on April 24, 2017 in York.

Rita was an Avon sales representative.

Rita is survived by her husband, Ernie of York; three step-daughters, Sherri (Will) Bilslend of Cozad, Linda Paugels of Lincoln, and Lori Shelton of Lincoln; seven step-grandchildren; twelve stepgreat grandchildren; two step-great great grandchildren; nieces, Rhonda (Mark) Walford Braddock of Bellevue, Angela Herman of Williamston, Michigan, and Deanna (Roland) Broeder of Great Bend, Kansas; nephew, Leland (Dasha) Classen of San Francisco, California; step-sister, Lois (Gerald) Pesek of Valley; and sister-in-law, Susanna Classen of Great Bend, Kansas.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents; husband, LeRoy; brother, Gary Wilson; and niece, Sharlene Lawrence.

Memorial services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Arbor Drive Community Church in York.

Inurnment will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Benedict at 1:30 p.m. the same day. Rita has been cremated. There is no viewing or visitation. Memorials may be directed to Arbor Drive Community Church or York Adopt-A-Pet. Condolences may be left for the family at metzmortuary. com.

Metz Mortuary in York is handling the arrangements.