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Orr, Rita C.
Rita C. Orr, 77, of Solon, died at her home on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, with burial to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Coralville. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. (Casual attire encouraged for the services.)
Rita Cecilia Forman was born Jan. 23, 1935, in Toledo, Ohio, the daughter of Charles A. Forman Sr. and Mary A. (Moore) Forman. Her family moved to the Iowa City area, where she attended City High School. On April 11, 1953, she was united in marriage to Burton T. “Tom” Orr in Ottawa, Ill. She supported and drove with Tom in his trucking business for years. Following his death in 1984, she had worked a number of places, including American Testronics and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
She has enjoyed living near the mountains of Colorado and Wyoming when she wasn't living in this area. Many will remember her living down at Edgewater along the Iowa River in Coralville. Nearly 10 years ago she met and later became engaged to Don Nelson with whom she has enjoyed spending these past years together. She enjoyed assisting Don in the managing of the Green Castle Airport, along with being one of the “Airport Club” members. Most in Rita's life were her family and friends; she loved everyone as they did her!
Her family includes a son, Thomas Orr of Texas; a granddaughter, who Rita raised as her own daughter, Tammy Elam (Greg Castillo) of Solon; grandchildren, Laura, Andrew, Michael and Garth; great-grandson, Austin; sisters, Mary (Paul) Burgess of Iowa City and Angie (Justin) Walker of Des Moines; brothers, Charles Forman Jr. (Betty) of Coralville and Raymond Forman (Myra) of Clive; her dear friend and fiance, Don Nelson of Iowa City; and many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
Rita was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Tom; daughter, Deborah Elam; infant son, Curt Orr; and sister, Theresa Heumphreus.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Rita's memory.
Online condolences may be sent for her family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.
Published Nov. 12, 2012 in The Gazette
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