Myrtle Rich

Myrtle June Rich, age 83, of Atlantic, Iowa, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, February 29, 2008, at the Heritage House in Atlantic. She was born June 9, 1924, at her parents' home north of Atlantic, Iowa, to Arthur and Emma Nelson, one of ten children.

After graduating from Atlantic High School in 1942, she became a teacher for 3 ½ years in rural schools. On February 19, 1945, she married her lifetime husband, Wayne L. Rich, in Hiawatha, Kansas. Together they worked hard at farming and raising five children.

Myrtle was a member of Pine Grove United Methodist Church for 30 years, First United Methodist Church for 24 years and United Methodist Women. She enjoyed being a 4-H Leader and belonged to the Neighborhood L.L. Club. She was active in the Atlantic Hospital Auxiliary and the Massena Eastern Star.

Myrtle enjoyed crocheting afghans and potholders for family and friends. Her vegetable and flower garden brought daily exercise to her life. Harvest season always brought happiness to her heart. She felt blessed to have a circle of friends that met on a regular basis to chat over coffee or lunch.

Surviving Myrtle are her husband, Wayne L. Rich of Atlantic, IA; her son, Gary Rich and his wife, Karen of Massena, IA; her four daughters, Sherry Johnson and her husband, Gary of Glenwood, IA, Carol Fletcher and her husband, Don of Liberty, MO, Janie Ward and her husband, Rich of Plano, TX, and Julie Carnes and her husband, Jim of Kansas City, MO; her grandchildren, Jana (Terry) Manning, Wade Rich, Darin (Michele) Fletcher, Jennifer (Brian) Heithoff, Brant (Therese) Johnson, Amy (Glenn) Taylor, Kelly (Brian) Ehrenberg, Josh Ward, Ryan (Traci) Rich, Andrea Rich, Mary Carnes, Sarah Carnes and Rachel Carnes; her great-grandchildren, Mollie, Madison, Ethan, Collin, Tate, Jack, Tillie, Colby, Harrison, Connor, Meredith, Taghan, Wesley, Andrew and Tayah. Also surviving are her sister, Margaret Gregersen of Storm Lake, IA; sister-in-law, Anna Mary Nelson of Atlantic, IA; and brother-in-law, Dick Wright of Atlantic, IA.

Preceding Myrtle in death were her parents, Arthur and Emma Nelson; brothers, Everett, Elmer, Glenn and Howard Nelson and Robert and Eugene Nelson in infancy; sisters, Ethel Hoffman and Patricia Ann Wright; sisters-in-law, Wilma Nelson and Creta Nelson; and brothers-in-law, Wayne Hoffman and Burdette (Bud) Gregersen.

The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 4, 2008, at the United Methodist Church in Atlantic, Iowa, with the Reverend Gary DeGeest officiating. Visitation with family present will be Monday, March 3rd from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic. Burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic.

She will be greatly missed.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.