Rita A. Nurmi, 71, of 5580N E. Echo Lake Rd., Mercer, died unexpectedly Monday, June 23, 2008, at St. Clare's Hospital in Weston. The former Rita A. Peacy was born Jan. 29, 1937, in Ashland, daughter of the late George and Pauline (Meyer) Peacy, attended Ashland schools, and graduated from Ashland High School in 1955. She then was employed as a butcher at the Piggly Wiggly Store in Ashland and worked at Munsingwear, also in Ashland. Rita married John Nurmi on Aug. 13, 1960, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Ashland. Following her marriage, she was employed as a secretary and bookkeeper at Turner Heat Treating in Milwaukee, then returned to Ashland to work at Munsingwear. Moving to Mercer in 1965, she worked as head cook at Whispering Pines Girls Camp on Spider Lake, was employed at the Mercer Boat Co., worked as secretary/bookkeeper at Keith Jesse Sawmill and as part-time clerk at the Wampum Shop, both in Mercer, and retired as secretary for the Town of Mercer in 1995. Rita was a member of St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer and its' Altar Society, and served as past church secretary and treasurer. She was also a member of the Auxiliary to Mercer Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9536. Her hobbies included stained glass work, gardening, sewing, woodworking, cooking, fishing and cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling and ice skating in her younger years. Surviving are husband of 47 years, John, her daughter, Nancy (Dan) Owen, and her grandson, Byron John Owen, all of Mercer; two brothers, Robert (Beverly) Peacy, Waukesha, and Howard Peacy, Schofield; a sister, Doris Olson, Spooner; and numerous nieces and nephews, to include two nephews, John and Joseph Peacy, whom she raised as her sons. Besides her parents, Rita was preceded in death by four brothers, Harry, Ernest, George and Ardith "Duff" Peacy; and three sisters, Margaret Beil, Florence Veno and Carol Phillips. In accordance with Rita's wishes, cremation has taken place. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, June 30, at 11 a.m., at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer, with the Rev. Michael Hayden, celebrant. Rite of Committal will take place at the church, with luncheon to follow in the parish hall. Inurnment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Ashland. Friends may call at the church one hour prior to Mass on Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mercer Veterans Memorial, in care of Terry and Margaret Pemble, 2945 Highway 51, Mercer, Wis. 54547. To view Rita's obituary online, sign the guestbook and express condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick and Engstrom Funeral and Cremation Services of Ironwood and Hurley.