Rita Harrie

Lorraine Rita Harrie, 79, passed away on May 19, 2016, in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Rita was born September 5, 1936, in Sparta, Wisconsin to Herman L. and Ella Nauman Ripp. She was the 3rd born of five children. Rita attended St. Patricks Parochial Grade School, and graduated from Sparta High School in 1954. She then enrolled in the School of Nursing at Viterbo College in La Crosse, Wisconsin and after one year pursued her certification as a Histologic Technician in the field of Pathology.

On August 27, 1955, she married William "Bill" Harrie in Sparta, Wisconsin. She continued to pursue her Histology career at St. Francis Hospital in La Crosse while her husband, Bill, completed his Bachelor of Science Degree at La Crosse State University. Both Rita and Bill accepted employment at Sacred Heart Hospital in Idaho Falls. In June of 1957, they along with 6-week old son, Greg, moved from La Crosse, Wisconsin to Idaho Falls, where Rita continued her 43 year career, ending with her retirement from Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in 1998. In May 1961, Rita passed her practical and written National Examination and was awarded certification by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists and became one of only about 1,000 histologic technicians in the United States registry at the time. Two more children joined the family, Douglas and Kathy.

Since 1998, Rita continued working, shuttling cars in the Intermountain area for Hertz Rental, in the Nutrition Department for School Districts 91 and 93, and co-ordinating the sample demonstration program at the Idaho Falls Winco store.

Throughout her 58 years in Idaho Falls, Rita has been active in the community. In the early years, she served as Den Mother for Cub Scouts, co-ordinated activities for Girls Scouts, and was secretary for the Medical Credit Union. Rita and her husband were officers in the Idaho Falls High School Boosters Club in the 1970's. She was an officer for many years in the Mothers of our Coaches Helpers (MOOCH) organization for the Idaho Falls Youth Hockey Association (IFYHA). She enjoyed attending her children’s, grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s events, whether it was football, baseball, hockey, or school related activities.

Aside from her tireless work ethics, her proudest accomplishment was a lifetime devoted to building a cherished and loving family.

In addition to her loving husband of 60 years, Bill, she is survived by her three children, Gregory (Martha) Harrie of Fort Myers, Florida; Douglas (Jill) Harrie of Boise, Idaho; Katherine (Pat) Pendrey of Idaho Falls; six grandchildren, Kate (Bracken) Killpack of Seattle, Washington; Lauren (Jason) Guiffre of Boise; Margaret Harrie of Boise; Lindsey (Kevin) Sapien of Boise; Curtis (Amber) Mahoney of Idaho Falls; and Melissa (Rhett) Panter of Idaho Falls and seven great grandchildren: Kayden, Hunter, Braxton and Parker Mahoney of Idaho Falls; Brooklynn and Matthew Panter of Idaho Falls; and Leo Guiffre of Boise. She is also survived by her brothers, Herman (Carol Lee) Ripp of San Luis Obispo, California; David (Jana) Ripp of Sparta, Wisconsin; and sisters, Bonnie (Harold) Peterson, of Poinciana, Florida; and Carol Ann (Gerald) Nichols of Green Bay, Wisconsin. She was preceded in death by her infant son, Robert Joseph Harrie (1956), her parents, and son-in-law Curtis Mike Mahoney.

A Rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, 2016, with a visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home (273 N. Ridge) in Idaho Falls. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 23, 2016, at Christ the King Catholic Church (1690 East 17th Street). The family will visit with friends on Monday for one hour prior to the services at the church.

Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Idaho Falls Youth Hockey Association, PO Box 1592, Idaho Falls, ID 83404 or your favorite charity.

Funeral Mass