Shirley Maxine Nordberg Riter

Shirley Maxine Nordberg Riter passed away in the presence of her grateful family on March 10, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was 91.
Shirley was born on March 24, 1929 in Salt Lake City to Paul T. and Venice Jamieson Nordberg. She began working in her parents’ grocery store at age 14, passing out ration coupons to customers during WWII. From the first day, she loved the grocery business. She graduated from East High at 17 and became a bookkeeper for Albertsons, then an accountant for Countryside Egg Farms, and finally, a legal assistant for Professional Pension Services. She was recruited for each position because of her enthusiasm and hard work.
In 1949, Shirley met Burton A. Riter in the checkout line of her parents’ store. She said it was like love at first sight, and the couple married on October 2, 1950 in Las Vegas, Nevada. To this union were born Susan, Jim, Ken, and Mark. When Shirley’s father passed in 1959, she took her youngest brother, Lonny, into her family as another son.
Shirley was a great thinker and enjoyed quiet activities like jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, cryptograms, and the daily Jumble. Shirley was also a voracious reader who preferred biographies, non-fiction, and an endless supply of puzzle books. At her death, Shirley’s favorite work was The Devil in the White City. In her later years, she discovered water aerobics and enjoyed both the exercise and the wonderful friends she made there. An active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Shirley cared for the dear sisters and beloved Primary children in her ward.
Most of Shirley’s time was spent on her family. She would sew doll clothes, craft with plastic canvas, travel hours to sporting events and dance concerts, write letters, endure board games, and send packages every holiday (Valentines and St. Patrick’s Day included). Each year, Shirley would spend months planning the 12 Days of Christmas for each grandchild. These 12 Days were themed, and each present came individually wrapped with a poem suited to the gift. Eventually, the 12 Days spread to neighbor children, ward missionaries, grandchildren’s college roommates, mission companions, each great-grandchild, and on one memorable occasion, the children her grandchild babysat.
This one example shows the twin virtues that defined Shirley’s life: service and creativity.
At Christmas, she would write a note to each grandchild telling them of her love and praising them individually. But that note would come at the end of a clue chase, or a string of riddles, or once, literal strings wound through her entire house. She compiled books with all her greatest games, riddles, songs, puzzles, and stories, then gave them away as presents. She made recipe boxes full of her favorites, then delivered them with a plate of peanut butter cookies. She recorded herself reading children’s books, which have been passed down from the grandchildren they were meant for to great-grandchildren who declare her the best storyteller there ever was.
Shirley was the perfect example of Christlike charity. Her unstinting love will be missed and her memory cherished.
Shirley is survived by her children: Susan R. (Scott) Barker of Burley, Idaho, James B. (Christine) Riter and Kenneth B. (Frances) Riter of Salt Lake City, Utah. She is also survived by one brother Lonny G. (Sandy) Nordberg of St. George, Utah, ten grandchildren, and 30 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, siblings Paul and Gaylene, and her precious son, Mark.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 20, 2020 at 12:00 pm at the Memorial Mountain View Mortuary. Unfortunately, because of COVID restrictions, only immediate family members will be able to attend at the mortuary. The service may be attended virtually via Zoom. Please see instructions below to attend.
Instructions for Stream
1. Joining by computer
a. Go to zoom.us in any internet browser
b. Click “join meeting”
c. Enter the meeting id – 8019430831
d. A box will open saying “https://zoom.us wants to open this application”. Click “open zoom”
e. Click “Join with Computer Audio”
f. Click “Mute” in the bottom left hand corner so that your audio does not interrupt the funeral services
2. Joining by phone or iPad
a. Download the Zoom app
b. Open the app and select “join a meeting”
c. Enter the meeting id – 8019430831
d. Select “join without video”
e. Select “Call using internet audio”
f. Select “mute” in the bottom left hand corner so that your audio does not interrupt the funeral services.
Service Information

Funeral Service
March 20, 2021 at 12:00PM - 1:00PM
Memorial Mountain View Mortuary