Rita Northup

December 5, 1949 - March 18, 2021

Sigourney. Rita (Florang) Northup, 71, of Sigourney died Thursday, March 18, 2021, at home surrounded by her family. Rita was born December 5, 1949, in Sigourney, to Harold (Riley) and Vivian Tarvin Florang. She graduated from English Valley High School in 1968. After graduation, Rita moved to Washington State. In 1970 Rita gave birth to a beautiful daughter who she unselfishly decided to offer a better life. At that time Jack and Sharon Wood adopted Wendy. Years later Rita and Wendy were reunited, and a loving bond formed between the families. Upon returning to Iowa Rita married and had four children. She then got a job at Amana Refrigeration where she worked for 22 years forming many lifelong friendships. In 2000, Rita moved to Arizona to care for her mother. She also worked at Riverside Casino in Laughlin, Nevada. Upon returning to Iowa, she was the safety manager at Riverside Casino in Riverside, Iowa. She retired in 2013, to enjoy spending more time with her family. Rita was an active member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church where she taught CCD classes when she resided in North English. Rita is survived by her children, Shelly Glandon of Oskaloosa, Amy (Monica) Stevens of Marion, Ericka Miller (Michelle) of Cedar Rapids, and Riley Northup of Sigourney, special mention to Wendy Bailey of Washington. Rita was super proud of her nineteen grandchildren: eight great grandchildren. Also surviving are her three sisters, Barbara Casper of Bussey, Alice (Dan) Stramer of Watkins, Iowa, Celia Lawson of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother-in-law, D’Wayne Casper, and a niece Denise Christian. As was Rita’s wishes, her body has been cremated and no services are planned. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made mailed to Post office box 9999, Oskaloosa, Iowa or the Bates Funeral Chapel.