Greene, Orpha C. 1878-1973

GREENE, STRANG, TABER, SCOTT, BITCON, HAWK

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 12/16/2011 at 08:12:47

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register

ORPHA GREENE SERVICES HELD

Mrs. Orpha C. Greene, 94, the widow of Dr. Curtis W. Greene, a pioneer Grinnell chiropractor, died late Sunday, Nov. 4, at a Racine, Wis., nursing home.

Mrs. Greene had been living the last five years in Racine with her son, Earnest.

The daughter of Reuben and Rhoda Ellen Strang Taber, she was born near Albion, Iowa, Nov. 11, 1878. She attended the schools near her family home and later taught country school north of Marshalltown.

She was married to Dr. Curtis W. Greene on Aug. 2, 1901, at New Providence, Iowa. The couple had five children, three of whom survive: Mrs. J.C. (Rosalie) Scott of Moline, Ill.; Mrs. Raymond (Lillian) Bitcon of Mason City; and Earnest J. Greene of Racine.

Mrs. Greene was a birthrite Friend and the oldest member of the Grinnell Friends Church. She was a member of the United Society of Friends Women and had served her church in many lay activities.

Survivors include her three children, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband on May 29, 1954; two sons, Glenn Edwin Greene and Oswell Curtis Greene; a brother, Edwin Taber; and a sister, Mrs. Edith Hawk.

Funeral services for Mrs. Greene were held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, at the Grinnell First Friends Church, with the Rev. Marvin Hoeksema of New Providence officiating. Music was provided by Mrs. Willard Heffner, organist, and a duet from the church, Mrs. Mary Ann Coppinger and Mrs. Kathryn Kessler, accompanied by Mrs. Marilyn Burnham, pianist.

Pallbearers were Robert Burnham, George German, Arthur McDowell, Harvey Mikel Jr., George Morrison, and Kenneth Palmer. Burial was in the Prairieville Cemetery near Albion, Iowa, with the Smith Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.