Lenora "Lee" Nitschke
Lenora "Lee" R. Nitschke, 92, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away Thursday, October 3, 2024, at Prairie Heights Healthcare, Aberdeen.
Lenora “Lee” Rebecca Nitschke was born January 10, 1932, to Gottfried and Dora (Schock) Nitschke near Ashley, North Dakota. She was raised on a farm north of Ashley and attended country school until eighth grade. Lee then attended Ashley High School and graduated in 1950.
Following high school, she attended Ellendale Normal and Industrial College for one summer term. After receiving her certificate, she taught rural school for two years.
Lee married Clarence Nitschke on October 29, 1950, and they made their home on a farm near Ashley. In 1961, they moved to Aberdeen, SD. Together, they started a construction business and Lee was employed by J.C. Penny Co.
Lee married Kenneth Johnson on October 27, 1989, and they continued to make their home together in Aberdeen. She was employed by Feinsteins for many years and then at the Blue Jean Trading Co, which is now the Corner Book Shoppe. It was a great joy for Lee to work at the Book Shoppe, where she was a manager for many years until her husband had a stroke.
Lee was a devoted member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. She served as a Sunday School teacher, Altar Society member, and was a trained Stephen minister until she started having hearing problems. She very much enjoyed spending time at the Aberdeen Family YMCA doing Nautilus for many years. In 1996, she was inducted into the Nautilus Hall of Fame for her hard work and dedication to fitness.
Lee was known for her friendliness, great sense of humor, positive attitude, and her special talent of making people smile and feel good about themselves. Together, she and Ken did a lot of traveling in their younger years.
Lee is survived by her husband, Ken Johnson; her son Joel Nitschke; 18 nieces and nephews, many great nieces and nephews, and numerous great-great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers Hugo and Lloyd; and three sisters Alvina, Loretta, and Deloris.