Rebecca Louise "Becky" Nilson

1950 - 2016

Rebecca "Becky" Louise Nilson was born in Holtville, CA on June 23, 1950 to Charles "Charlie" Nilson and Louise Fasler Nilson. She had two brothers, Henry and Dan. Becky grew up on the family farm on McCabe Road and attended Jasper School with the other country kids in that district. She graduated from Holtville High School in 1968 and went on to attend Cal Poly, Pomona where she earned a degree in Communications. Upon graduation from college she returned to Holtville and began her career as a teacher at Calexico High School. In 1974 she married Joe Rothfleisch and they had five children together: Ryan, Tasha, Tanner, Talia, and Regan. She retired from her professional career as a teacher when her children were young, but never quit her life-long mission of teaching her children and many others in her life whom she mentored, discipled, took to Faith Baptist Church in her suburban, led in 4-H, and so much more. Many children and adults alike refer to her as a second mother or the only person who they felt ever believed in them. Becky endured some great difficulties in her life such as a divorce, various illnesses, the tragic loss of her son Tanner, and the loss of her beloved father. But through it all, she never lost her faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In 1998 she met the love of her life, Ernie Manriquez. Becky thought the world of Ernie and they were inseparable for nearly 20 years. He was devotedly by her side up until her last breath. She was a partner in her father's family farm, Nilson Associates, and did much of the office work for it, until it dissolved a few years after his death and she started her own business, Nilson Farms. After his death, she worked diligently to fulfill her promise to him of continuing the family farm that he had worked so hard to build up and passing it on to her children and grandchildren. Becky was larger than life in so many ways. This 6-foot tall blonde beauty had many passions in life. She had a unique gift of creativity which is evident in her eclectically decorated and landscaped home in Holtville. For several years, she even had a home decorating business called Imagine That. She learned the skill of video editing on her computer and went on to make numerous movies about her family history, grandchildren, and trips. Becky loved to travel and explore the world. Some of her favorite trips include fulfilling her wheelchair-bound elderly father's dream of seeing the Panama Canal, spending summers with her uncle and children in Kauai, visiting relatives in Switzerland and Sweden, and various trips around the world with Ernie, her children, and her grandchildren. Faith and supporting ministry work were very important to Becky. She wanted everyone to know how to have salvation through Jesus, and she loved helping those less fortunate or from difficult backgrounds. Her favorite ministry was a mission her son Ryan started in Haiti. A highlight of her life was visiting the mission/orphanage in 2014 with two of her grandchildren. Becky loved her children, grandchildren, parents, and Ernie with all her heart, and she touched countless lives. She was so proud of her children and what God is doing in their lives and how the hard work ethics she had instilled in them had contributed to who they are today. On July 25, 2016, Becky graduated from this life into eternity with her Savior, peacefully in her home. Her presence will be missed immensely but her family clings to the promise that they will see her again in Heaven one day. Becky was preceded in death by her son, Charles Tanner Rothfleisch in 2001, and her father, Charles "Popo" Nilson in 2009. She is survived by her husband, Ernie Manriquez, and her children and grandchildren: Ryan (Nicole) Rothfleisch and Amaris (age 7); Tasha (Bryan) Denton and Kaya (age 19), Bryce (age 8), Charliann (age 3); Talia (Brad) Haley and Oliver (age 1); Regan Rothfleisch and Bently (age 11). Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, August 2nd: Graveside burial at Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro at 9 a.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at Christ Community Church at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Imperial Valley's Hope for Haiti, at 585 West Orange Ave., El Centro, CA 92243.