Marjorie Ellen Gittings, 89, of LaHarpe, Illinois, passed away at 11:21 a.m. Monday, January 27, 2025 at the Memorial Hospital in Carthage, Illinois.

Marjorie was born September 3, 1935 in Knox County, Missouri, the daughter of Leonard and Minnie (Harvey) Bachmann. She married Ellis Simler on August 28, 1955. They later divorced. On May 17, 1985, she married Clifford Lee Gittings. He preceded her in death on March 30, 2004.

She was a 1953 graduate of Edina Public School and attended Kirksville Teachers College. She also received her associates degree in nursing from Southeastern Community College in 1986 and a Bachelors of Arts from Western Illinois University in 1987.

Marjorie taught school in Holiday, Missouri and Mendon, Illinois. Later, she worked at McDonough District Hospital for over 23 years, retiring in 1998.

Marjorie enjoyed reading, doing puzzles, playing cards with friends and traveling. She had visited Mexico, Canada and all but one of the 50 states. She was a St. Louis Cardinals fan and a member of the LaHarpe Christian Church, LaHarpe Senior Citizens, Happy Helpers Club and LaHarpe American Legion Auxiliary.

She is survived by four children: David (Angela) Simler of Bellevue, Washington, Diane (Patrick) Radey of Matthews, North Carolina, Kris Reische of LaHarpe and Rick Gittings of LaHarpe; seven grandchildren: Jacob Radey, Joshua Radey, John Radey, Charity (Larrick) Allaman, Jennifer (Jason) Lofquist, Kayla (Billy) Parry and April Gittings; eleven great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild; two brothers: Charles and Lewis Bachmann; one sister: Judy Nicol and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and one son-in-law: Gene Reische.

Cremation has been entrusted to Banks & Beals Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 2, 2025 at the LaHarpe Christian Church with Pastor Nate McCarter officiating. A luncheon will follow the service at the church.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until time of services at the church.

Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 3, 2025 at the Knox City Cemetery, Knox City, Missouri.    Local arrangements ae under the direction of the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home in Edina, MO.

A memorial fund has been established for the LaHarpe Christian Church. To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit Marjorie's obituary at banksandbeals.com.

Local memorials may be left at or mailed to the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Edina, Mo 63537.