Obituary of Wahnita Eileen Diercks

Wahnita "Nita" Eileen Diercks, age 84, of Wisconsin Rapids, passed away Friday afternoon, April 10, 2015 at Pine Ridge Assisted Living in Wisconsin Rapids, surrounded by many members of her loving family. Services will be at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Wisconsin Rapids. Pastor Doug Schalow will officiate. Inurnment will take place at the Forest Hill Cemetery Mausoleum. Visitation will be from 11:00 A.M until the time of services, on Thursday, at the funeral home. Nita was born September 25, 1930 in rural Fairchild, WI to Wesley and Jesse (Flick) Walker. As a young girl growing up, Nita's greatest loves were being outside with her dad, and riding her pony Babe. She married Eugene "Gene" Robert Diercks on February 26, 1955 in Neillsville, WI, they later moved to Vesper WI, where they lived for over 50 years. For the past 3 years, Nita has resided at Pine Ridge assisted Living Facility. Nita and Gene were blessed with 60 years of marriage and 3 children. Nita enjoyed being outside, helping to tend to the numerous animals on their hobby farm, getting dirt under her nails. She enjoyed rummage sailing, softball games, and painting ceramics. Nita was a school bus driver for 40 years. She began driving for Adam's transportation, and then Safe Way Transportation. Nita was once voted school bus driver of the year, and it was always one of her greatest concerns that she keep "her kid's" safe, she never considered this a job, she considered it enjoyment. The last 17 years of her career, Nita considered herself blessed to be able to haul special needs children. What she loved most of all was spending time with her loving family, especially the second half of her heart, and her love for over 60 years, Gene. She will be missed by many. Her family takes comfort in the knowledge that she is now able to spend time with those she loved who have gone before her. We were loved by her our entire lives, and know that she continues to watch after each and every one of us. Nita is survived by her husband, Gene; son, Dennis (Jodie) Diercks of Sparta, WI; daughters, Barb (Pete) Bushmaker of Wisconsin Rapids and Karen Hildebrandt of Green Bay, WI; 11 grandchildren, Joshua (Jessica) Diercks, Trevor Diercks, Justin (Jamie) Diercks, Torrence Diercks, Kasey Diercks, Caleb (Cassy) Diercks, Ryan (Michelle) Bushmaker, Korie (Shane) Lawson, Brandis (Otto) Ohlsson, Noah Hildebrandt, and Walker Temple; 21 great-grandchildren, Nita is busy rocking those still to come. She is further survived by sisters-in-law, Margaret Walker, Eddie Walker, Charlene Walker, Shirley Poeschel, and Flo Diercks, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her grandsons, Jeremy and Travis Diercks; great grandson, Tanner Diercks; her parents; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ralph (Berma) Walker, Melvin (Rilla) Walker, Orville (Ione) Walker, Bud Walker, Manley (Erline) Walker, Cliff Walker, Jack Walker, Roland Diercks and Chester (Donna) Diercks, and sisters and brothers-in-law, Wanda Walker, Zora (Albert) Sentek, Charlotte (Alvin) Durham, and Reta (Jerry) Koranda, and Janet McMillan. There are no words to express our appreciation and gratitude for our "special family" at Pine Ridge that have so lovingly taken care of "our love", for the past three years. Kim, Ella, and the entire staff, thank you. To her special angel here on Earth, Sasha Anderson, we love you all.