Vernita E. Organ, 98, of LaPorte, died peacefully at 4:55 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, at Golden Living Center Fountainview Terrace, LaPorte.
She was born March 8, 1916, in Tazewell County, IL, to Frederick G. and Emma (Lutz) Ripper.
Vernita retired from American Home Foods, LaPorte, in 1981, and worked with her son, Clyde, at Clyde’s Herb Shop in LaPorte until 2009. She loved spending time with her family, sewing, playing cards and doing crossword puzzles. After retiring she enjoyed traveling.
On Jan. 6, 1939, in Palmyra, MO, she married Neal C. Organ, who preceded her in death in October 1983.
Also preceding her in death were one daughter, Nancy Terry, in May 2009; one grandson, Donald Drazer, in January 2009; four brothers, Wesley, Leroy, Hilbert and Rodney Ripper; and one sister, Thelma Wagner.
Surviving are her two sons, Clyde (Kathleen) Organ of Stillwell, IN, and Donald (Renee) Organ of LaPorte; six grandchildren, Kurt (Susan) Organ and Keith (Karol) Organ, both of LaPorte, Jennifer Trafelet of Hanna, IN, Ashley Roberts of Grand Rapids, MI, Garry Drazer of Las Vegas, NV, and Michael (Tammy) Terry of Mill Creek, IN; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Lillian Ripper of Aurora, CO, and I.J. Organ of Decatur, IL; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral celebrating her life will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, LaPorte. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 p.m. until the service. An urn burial will take place in Patton Cemetery, LaPorte, at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 208, LaPorte, IN 46352.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.LakeviewFHC.com.