Obit: Britten, Anita Jean (1946 - 2011)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Britten, Stacy, Sky, Cornelius, Frazier, Banks, Hunt, Kelly, McBride    

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.)  December 21, 2011

Britten, Anita Jean (18 September 1946 - 14 December 2011) With Flag

Anita Jean (Stacy) Britten, 65, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2011, at the University of Minnesota Hospital, Minneapolis, MN.  Anita was born Sept. 18, 1946, in Black River Falls, to Freida M. (Stacy) Sky and Royalton Cornelius.

Anita grew up in the Neillsville community, graduating from Neillsville High School in 1964.  Anita joined the U. S. Army Sept. 24, 1964, and was honorably discharged.  After leaving the U. S. Army, Anita was united in marriage to Aubrey Britten in Marshfield before settling in Racine. The Britten’s had an infant son, Scott, who lived for only 11 weeks before passing away of SIDS. Then, Anita moved to the Minneapolis area and worked for the Minneapolis Indian Health Board for the next six years as a community health representative.  Anita also worked for a number of years for the American Indian Opportunity Industrial Center as a job developer/counselor.  Helping others find a way to help themselves was one of Anita’s greatest joys.

When Anita returned to Black River Falls area, she worked at the Majestic Pines Bingo, the Black River Falls Tribal Aging Unit and the Office of General Council. Getting to know the community elders and helping them was rewarding work.  Anita was a loyal, devoted longtime member of the Andrew Black Hawk Post 129 Auxiliary Unit.

Anita was often seen enjoying her favorite pastime - playing Bingo at Majestic Pines Bingo. Anita was creative and this creativity was evident in her many Star Quilt Blankets and fry-bread.  Anita’s other greatest joy was spending lots of time with her grandbabies and other younger family members.  Anita was a faithful - steadfast Green Bay Packer backer.

Anita is survived by her children, Timothy Frazier of Chillicothe, OH, and Antaysha Banks of Minneapolis, MN; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters, Rosetta R. Hunt of Columbia Heights, MN, Nela F. Stacy of Baraboo, and Alfreda O. Sky of Black River Falls; and many other relatives, including aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Anita was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Scott; an infant daughter Vanessa; and her lifelong partner, Jerry Kelly, from Red Lake, MN.

Funeral services for Anita Jean Britten were held at noon Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at the Hocak United Church of Christ, Indian Mission, Black River Falls, with the Reverend David McBride officiating.  Burial followed in the church cemetery.  Family and friends were invited for visitation from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, at the Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, and the church Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon.

Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com.