Iris Orvilla Alexander

IRIS ORVILLA ALEXANDER Iris Orvilla Westover Alexander, 74, of Bartlesville, Oklahoma met her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Sunday, November 13, 2011 at Jane Phillips Hospital in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Orvilla was born on January 29, 1937 to Rachel and Preston Westover in Rapid City, South Dakota. She had four siblings: Alton, Fred, Eva and Darrell. Orvilla lived in various locations in South Dakota, in Walt Hill, Nebraska and then in Gordon, Nebraska in her late grade school years. Orvilla grew up during hard times so learned early to enjoy the simple things in life such as family and friends. She is remembered most for never complaining about not having a lot of personal belongings, about her health failing or about moving from her home in Gordon to Bartlesville. She was united in marriage to Lester Noel Alexander on September 2, 1954 and they made their home in Gordon. To this union three children were born – Vickie, Noeleen (Kaye) and Troy. Orvilla was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren have fond memories of spending many hours with their grandma and GG singing, reading and playing make-believe with her canned goods and baking pans. Orvilla had all her favorite recipes memorized and could prepare a meal from a few ingredients. Her children especially remember coming home to an aroma of homemade bread, dinner rolls and cinnamon rolls all made from one packet of yeast, 5 lbs of flour and a few other ingredients. Orvilla was a loyal member of the First Methodist Church in Gordon and then later the Seventh Day Adventist Churches in Gordon and Bartlesville. Orvilla provided housekeeping for several residents of Gordon and volunteered her time at the Gordon nursing home. She especially loved the elderly. After living 52 years in her home in Gordon, Orvilla moved to Bartlesville in 2007 to be near her children. She resided in the Bartlesville Care Center Independent Apartments and then in January, 2011 she moved into the nursing home of the same facility. Her favorite pastimes at the Care Center were visiting with family and friends, playing Bingo and eating and drinking anything chocolate. Orvilla’s favorite sayings were ‘one day at a time’ and ‘right on’. She lovingly was called ‘Right On’ at the nursing home. Orvilla was preceded in death by her husband Noel, parents Rachel and Preston Westover, sister Eva Westover and stepdaughter Joanne Alexander Perry. Left to mourn are Orvilla’s daughter’s Vickie Goodlett (Bryan), Kaye Lein (Dale) all of Bartlesville, son Troy Alexander of Wichita, Kansas, step daughter Jeanne Breen (Denny) of Loveland, Colorado, brothers Darrell Westover of Wadena, Minnesota, Alton Westover (Dorothy) and Fred Westover (Sue) all of Alma, Nebraska, grandchildren Candace Dempsey (Otis) of Grove, Oklahoma, Chad Smith (Dawn) of Bartlesville, Jacob Parker of Oklahoma City, Angela Lein, Aaron Lein and Anthony Lein (Nicole) all of Bartlesville, Hunter Horsch of Wichita, Kansas, Joshua Breen of Loveland, Colorado, great grandchildren Jordan, Austin and Dallas Dempsey, Trey, Colton and Kahler Smith, Makayla Lein, Alexandria Lein and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation was held on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at Stumpff Funeral Home in Bartlesville and visitation and funeral services were held at Chamberlain-Pier Chapel in Gordon on Friday, November 18, 2011. Orvilla’s final resting place was by her husband at Gordon Cemetery. Memorials can be made to Iris Orvilla Alexander Memorial Fund, % Chamberlain-Pier Funeral Home, PO Box 336, Gordon Nebraska 69343. PDF Printable Version

Iris Orvilla Alexander

January 29, 1937 - November 13, 2011