Rita Ann Martin
January 9, 1945 — May 18, 2024
Rita Ann Martin passed away peacefully in her home on May 18th, 2024, after a battle with cancer. Rita was born on January 9th, 1945, in Vancouver Washington to Thomas William Rowe and Doris (Cheney) Rowe, she is one of 10 children and is proceeded in death by sisters Linda Rowe, Marge Dives, and Doloris Aldous as well as brothers Delbert Rowe, Tom Rowe Jr, and Shane Rowe. Surviving siblings are Loma Lloyd, Doug Rowe, and Ronda Redinger.
Rita and most of her siblings grew up in Thornton, Idaho in a small one-bedroom house. The family moved to Blackfoot, Idaho when Rita was 12. Her father owned a service station to support the family.
Rita had three children from her first husband, Rose Loehr, Mike Reid, and Greg Reid, and two children from her second husband, Brad Reid and Andrea Izatt. Rita is also blessed with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Rita was an entrepreneur and businesswoman. Most of her life she owned and operated a fabric store and dollar store in Malad, Idaho. Rita also taught 4-H sewing and was a judge at the county fairs. She loved helping in the community and being involved in all the fun events.
Rita Married Neil Martin on June 26th, 1996, later they moved to Kansas where they opened their Nursery and Greenhouse business and ran it for many years, and she worked as a community developer for the county. Rita and Neil then settled in Lebanon Oregon in 2013 where she ran a sewing and alteration business from their home. Rita was a meticulous seamstress and loved sewing. She enjoyed making quilts and clothing for the family as well as doing alterations for the community.
Rita loved people and loved to talk, she was intelligent and sophisticated and made friends with everyone who knew her. She loved to spend time in the great outdoors with family, fishing, camping, and going on adventures. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend and will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life will be held on June 8th, 2024 at 3:00 PM at River Park off East Grant St in Lebanon, Oregon.
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