Rita Friesen

Rita G. Friesen, age 82, of York, died Saturday, October 25, 2025 in York. She was born on May 15, 1943 to Carl and Dorothy (Renquist) Wilson in Oakland, CA. 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. 
She is survived by her husband Ernie of York; three step-daughters Sherri (Will) Bilslend of Cozad; Linda Paugels of Lincoln; Lori Shelton of Lincoln; 7 step-grandchildren; 12 step-great grandchildren; 2 step-great-great-grandchildren; nieces Rhonda (Mark) Walford Braddock of Bellevue; Angela Herman of Williamston, Michigan; Deanna (Roland) Broeder of Great Bend, KS; nephew Leland (Dasha) Classen of San Francisco, CA; step-sister Lois (Gerald) Pesek of Valley; and sister-in-law Susanna Classen of Great Bend, KS.
She 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., 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.