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Rita Harnish
RITA HARNISH
Cedar Rapids
Rita Harnish, 76, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Willow Gardens Care Center, Marion. A memorial gathering that will include food and beverages will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, at The Legacy Center at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Entombment: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Rita is survived by her children, Jon Harnish, Joe Harnish, Cathleen Harnish and Peggy Harnish, all of Cedar Rapids, and Case Debra (Chuck) Kentis of Woodland Hills, Calif.; grandchildren, Avery and Noah Kentis of California, Jacob and Jordan Harnish and Paige Harnish of Cedar Rapids; and siblings, Keith (Jeanne) Wallerich of Keota, Jeanine (Harold) Hall of Ames, Melvin (Barbara) Wallerich of Burlington, Barbara (Donald "Dutch") Soutter of Mitchellville, Susie (Dick) Sheaffer of Des Moines, Ron (Annette) Wallerich of Fairfax and Linda (Mike) Forret of Adel.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Irene Wallerich; brothers, Russell, Ted and Charles Wallerich; sister, Rose Marie Peiffer; and daughter-in-law, Jilane Harnish.
Rita was born Jan. 24, 1940, in Keokuk County, Iowa, to Homer and Irene (Dumont) Wallerich. She graduated from Keota High School and then attended Hamilton Business College. Rita married the Rev. William B. Harnish in 1960. They later divorced. She worked several jobs throughout her life including M.C.I. in the call center and quality control. Rita was also a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, crafts and gardening.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
Please share a memory of Rita at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
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