Rita Grace Fortin

Rita Grace Fortin, age 80, Wentworth, Mo., passed away at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Nov. 16, 2007, after a short illness. She was born on March 12, 1927, in Sheldon, Kan. Rita was the daughter of the late Faye Alexander Bishop and Ida Grace Bishop, of Sheldon. She was one of five children. She is survived by one sister, Wava “Sis” Adeen Randolph, of Spokane, Wash. She is preceded in death by husband, Jimmie Gerald Fortin on May 28, 2007; son, Jimmie R. Fortin in 1966; and a grandchild, Casey William Heidlage in 1988. She is also preceded in death by three brothers, Chester D. Bishop, of Spokane, Dennis Dayton Bishop, of Spokane, and Alexander Harvey Bishop, of Spokane. She lived on a farm in Wentworth, for the past 43 years. On June 5, 1944, she married the love of her life, Jimmie Gerald Fortin in western Kansas. She will be greatly missed. She lived each day to the fullest with a smile and had never met a stranger. She loved to make quilts, grow flowers and especially spend time with family and friends. She was quite the story teller and even wrote a book about her life which will be cherished. She is survived by her sons, Fred Fortin, Jess and Carla Fortin, of Wentworth; and daughters, Connie and Vernon Houck, of Wentworth, and Peggy and Kenneth Heidlage, of Granby, Mo.; 10 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. She was greatly loved by all. Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, at Lakin Funeral Home, Pierce City, Mo. Visitation will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, at the funeral home.