The world has one less ray of sunshine to brighten our lives. Anita "Nita" Springer, 49, of Elkhart, passed away at home on Tuesday (Dec. 25, 2007) after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

She leaves behind many family, friends and neighbors with aching hearts, but also filled with the richness of her life. Nita was born on Aug. 25, 1958, in Detroit.

She is survived by a loving family to remember her wonderful sprit and joy for living, including her mother and stepfather, Alice and Lewie Day; her father, Leverne (Theresa) Bjerke, all of Jackson, Mich.; two daughters, Kristen and Stephanie, both of Elkhart; two sisters, Beth (Dan) Hankis of Jackson and Susan (David) Bradley of Gregory, Mich.; two brothers, Steve (Chris) Bjerke of Raleigh, N.C. and Mike (Diann) Bjerke of South Lyon, Mich.; two aunts, Gertie and Dolores; Uncle Adam; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Also surviving is her devoted partner, Larry Bontrager of Elkhart; and special friends Doris Schilling of Jackson and Nancy Fanetti of Edwardsburg, Mich. Anita was preceded in death by her brother, Keith.

Most of Nita's life was spent in Jackson and later in Elkhart (Nita was a member of the Crestwood Class of 1976 until she moved to Jackson after her sophomore year). She was an outstanding server at Red Lobster in Jackson and Mishawaka, as well as at the Olive Garden in Elkhart for many years, where she shared her bright personality and love of life with customers and co-workers alike.

At home, Nita was a proud and loving mother, taking great pleasure in being active in her daughters' lives and enthusiastically participated in school and club activities. She was a woman who epitomized love and devotion; she will be deeply missed by all those whose lives she touched.