Anita Mae Lucibella, age 84 of Mitchell, SD died Friday November 12, 2010 at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, CO. Funeral services will be 1:00 PM Saturday, November 20, 2010 at the Will Funeral Chapel with burial at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the Will Funeral Chapel.

Anita Mae Lucibella, daughter of Arthur and Anna Mae (Trank) Nelson, was born July 5, 1926 in Mitchell, SD. She grew up in Mitchell and Pierre, as Anitas father was an auditor for the State of South Dakota. Anita graduated from Mitchell High School in 1944.

She met Ralph Lucibella of New York in 1943 when he was stationed at the Army Air Base in Mitchell. They became engaged and Ralph finished his military service in 1946. Anita was united in marriage with Ralph on February 7, 1946 in Mitchell, SD. After their marriage the couple made their home in New York, NY to be near Ralphs family. The couple returned to Mitchell in 1949 to raise their family.

Anita was a dedicated housewife and mother working part-time jobs at Saterlie Drug and going door to door collecting census information until 1976. In 1976, she began working full-time at St. Josephs Hospital in the cafeteria until her retirement in 1989. She was always remembered as friendly, helpful and hard-working, earning the employee of the month award in 1985.

Anita was known for her love of her family, visiting people, coffee, sweets, liver and onions, flowers, jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, dancing and music. The final four months of her life were spent in Colorado Springs where she was able to spend more time with her Colorado family and she touched the hearts of her caregivers in that short time.

Grateful for having shared her life are her four children, Jeani (Rod) West, Colorado Springs, CO, Cheryl (Jim) Bristow, Aurora, CO, Dennis (Susan) Lucibella, Citrus Heights, CA, Lisa (Gerald) Pibal, Colorado Springs, CO; eight grandchildren, Jennifer (Justin) Brandon, Christie (Deon) Bristow-Bender, Matt (Tarah) West, Jill West, Alison West, Lindsey Lucibella, Jenna (Andy) Lucibella-Heald; three great grandchildren, Allie Shae West, Caroline and Rachel Brandon.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Lucibella on November 13, 1988; an infant son, Alan Ralph in 1951; her parents; three brothers, Ivan, Arvid, and Myron (Mike); and a sister, Naomi.