Nita K. Thune died on December 20, 2019 in Pensacola, FL, where she had been a resident for 39 years. She was the widow of Don Thune, who preceded her in death in 2004.

Born in Cornell, WI, Nita was the oldest of five children. After completing grade school and high school in Cornell, she went on to college where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.

While at college, Nita was selected prom queen, a member of the homecoming court, and officer of the student government council. She also appeared in an edition of Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. During her junior year, she was chosen, as a spokesperson, to promote Wisconsin Tourism.

In 1960, Nita married Don Thune, a Navy pilot and she began a new and fascinating life as a military wife. She did volunteer work for the Red Cross, Navy Relief Society, Officers Wives Club and scouting. In Maine, she was the volunteer in charge of the base nursery.

Nita taught in four states. In Maryland, she was selected as a Master Teacher. Her last years as an educator were at Cordova Park Elementary in Pensacola. Nita often said she'd rather be in a room full of children than anywhere else. Her students felt this dedication and have responded with love and devotion in their letters, calls and visits years after leaving her classroom.

In her youth, Nita was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran church in Cornell, where she was baptized, confirmed and married. Later, upon retirement, she and her husband joined Grace Lutheran in Pensacola where Nita taught Sunday school and worked with the Alter Guild. She was a member at Grace for 34 years.

Nita often referred to her two children, Greg and Susan, as the greatest joy in her life. The close and special bond that they had, later expanded to include son-in-law Darren, daughter-in-law Carol and her precious grandchildren: Samantha, Connor, Sydney and Cameron.

Nita is survived by her children, Gregory (Carol) and Susan (Darren); her grandchildren, Samantha, Connor, Sydney and Cameron; her brothers, Tim (Vonnie) and Brent; her sisters, Dana (Curt) and Brenda (Robert).

The family wishes to express their gratitude to her kind neighbors, the Kilpatricks, the Bordelons and the Browns with a special notation of Debbie Kilpatrick's help since Nita's illness began. A special thank you to her dear and lifelong friends; Margaret Bean, Mercedes Jones, Priscilla Kleinman, Vonnie Finses, and Bonnie Barry.

At Nita's request there will be a private family interment service at Barrancas National Cemetary with Rev. Stephen Linck officiating.

To honor our mother's memory, please say a prayer to bless her in her new life. She'd like that!