Rita M. Orr, 57, formerly of Libby

Rita Marlene Orr, 57, of Belgrade, Mont., went to be with her Lord and Savior on Oct. 16, 2012, in Phoenix Ariz., with her family at her side. 

She lost her second round with cancer, having been in remission for two years.

Rita was born in Great Falls, Mont., on Oct. 24, 1953, to Bill and Ethel Little. She was raised in Great Falls, Glasgow, Yellowtail, and Somers before settling in Libby.

She graduated from Libby High School in 1972 and moved to Spokane, Wash., with friends Kathy Bonneau and Rayetta Tangen. She attended Kinman Business College, graduating in 1973, and returned to Libby to work for the USFS. 

There she met Scott Orr, a USFS equipment operator, and they were married in Libby on Dec. 14, 1974. The 37-year union was blessed with two children, Jen and Matt and more pets than you could count.

Scott and Rita bought Slausons’ Disposal Service in 1976, growing and operating it as SJ Orr Services until retiring in 2001. While in Libby, Rita was active in many church, political, civic, and school activities, but her faith and family were always her first passions. 

It grew into quite an extended family as she touched many lives. Her many foster children and five AFS exchange students remain in contact because their lives were enriched by Rita’s boundless love. 

Rita took to the role of “Mimi” with the addition of her grandchildren Teague and Ireland O’Malley. She followed her grandchildren to Hamilton and Belgrade, Mont., after retirement. 

Rita is survived by her husband, Scott, at the family home in Belgrade, her daughter Jen O’Malley and husband Joe with their children Teague and Ireland, also in Belgrade, her son Matt Orr and his wife Sandra in Portland, Ore., her mother Ethel and Wade in Libby, her brother Bruce Little and his wife Yvonne in Libby and niece Aimee Szabo with her husband Mike in Laurel, Mont., nephew Mark Little also resides in Laurel. Uncle Roy Snider and wife Stella in Sutherland Ore., aunt Betty Sanford of Cascade, Mont., aunt Becky Thoeny and husband Adrian in Newman Lake, Wash., cousins Jed Little, Julie Sanford, Chancy Thoeny, David Thoeny, Elizabeth Davis and Fay Seiler.  

Also surviving are brother-in-law Dwayne Orr and his wife Kathy in Yamhill, Ore., niece Jena Orr in Yamhill, brother-in-law DC Orr with his wife, Marianne in Libby, nephew Adam Orr and his wife Stacey, with daughter Maizy and their “bun in the oven” in Libby, niece Ashley DeShazer with her husband Doug and their boys Luke, Jace and Tristan in Libby.  

She was preceded in death by her father, Bill Little, mother-in-law Jeanine Orr, and sister-in-law Marjean Orr.

Services will be held in the Memorial Center in Libby with The Rev. Dale Pederson presiding at 11 a.m. Oct. 22, 2012. Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home also will arrange burial in Libby.

As a memorial to this beautiful woman, our rock solid family promoter, we suggest you hug your family.