Rew, Orra 'Orrie'

His biggest highlight moments in coaching though were with his Winfield state tournament basketball teams of 1949 and 1950 as they finished fourth and third respectively. In the process they upset the much larger teams of Des Moines East and Sioux City Central. The only break in his career was the same one so many had to take during World War II, as he served his country from 1942 until the end of the war.

At Winfield, Orrie met the love of his life, the school secretary, Norma Ross Swan. They were soon married on June 2, 1948, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. In their younger, busiest years, they were often seen together, kids and all. After Orrie's retirement they were still busy but seldom seen apart.

After his retirement at City High in 1980, Orrie coached Women's Track at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, playing golf, working at the scorer's bench at nearly all City High athletic events, and working at Fairview Golf Course for 20 years, the last 10 as clubhouse manager with Norma at his side.

The only job he never retired from was that of coaching and playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an avid City High and Iowa Hawkeye fan and never wanted to miss a Monday morning quarterback Club.

Orrie will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Norma; son, Dick (Lynn) Rew, from a previous marriage, of Austin, Texas; daughter, Leora (Steve) Houghton, Iowa City; sons, Ken (Ginny) Rew, Terry (Sue) Rew and Rob (Tracy) Rew, all of Iowa City; grandchildren, Richard (Kristi) Rew, Carina Rew, Cari (Bob) Everhart, Jeff (Michelle) Houghton, Jon (Annie) Houghton, Scott Houghton, Molly Rew, Brad (Bridgette) Rew, Chris, Jeremy, Corey and Katelyn Rew, Matt, Sam and Mike Rew; and great-grandchildren, Zoey Rew, Jesus and Rosalia Escalera Rew, Madeleine Wehmeyer, Kylie, Nick and Raelyn Houghton, Ella, Cole and Oscar Everhart, and Elias Houghton.

Orrie was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister.

Published Nov. 14, 2013 in The Gazette