Obituary of Irving A. O'Harra

Irving A. “Bus” O’Harra, age 85 of 908 Willow Street, Iowa City died Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. A celebration of Irving’s life will take place at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 1, 2004, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City with Lyle Beaver officiating. There will be a gathering time for family and friends after 1pm Thursday until the services. Following the services there will be a time of fellowship and refreshments at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Iowa City Hospice or the Senior Center Billards Room. Irving’s family would like to give a special thank you to Iowa City Hospice and all of his friends and family for all of their love, prayers and support in his final months. Irving was born April 24, 1919; the son of George W. and Mary Dvorak O’Harra. He graduated from Iowa City High School and attended Iowa State University for one semester; then transferred to University of Iowa where he enrolled in the Engineering College. He entered the U.S. Army on August 19, 1941. While stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington; he married Margaret Bittner of Iowa City on February 24, 1942. They have been married for 62 years. Irving served in the U.S. Army 351st Q .M. for 30 months on the Island of Kodiak, Alaska. He returned to serve at Ft. Francis E. Warren, WY; then was sent to islands in the South Pacific and was stationed at Okinawa, Japan when the war ended. After being discharged, Irving worked at Pittsburgh Glass Co. Aldens, Sears Roebuck Co., and Continental Baking Co. Most of his years of employment were spent at the University of Iowa Physical Plant Miscellaneous Services Department, from which he retired in 1982. After retirement he enjoyed camping in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming in the summer and spending his winter months in the Rio Grande Valley near Mission, TX along with many other Iowa Citians. His family includes his wife, Margaret O’Harra, a son, Brian O’Harra and wife, Annette O’Harra, of Iowa City; two daughters: Margaret Helble and husband, Leon Helble of Iowa City; Dale Wenburg and husband Andrew Wenburg of Sheridan, Wy; four grandchildren : Stacey Delsing, Patrick O’Harra and wife, Elizabeth O’Harra, Kelly Romig and husband Bryan Romig, Scott Wenburg; four great-grandsons: Danan and Joshua Delsing, Benjamin and Alexander Romig.; and one brother, William O’Harra of Iowa City. Irving and Margaret raised several other children, including Anna Johnson White of Cedar Rapids. Her family includes her husband Robert White and two sons, Eric and Daniel. He was preceded in death by two grandchildren: Heidi Wenburg and John Helble; three sisters: Myrtle Stephen, Lillian Conway, Mildred O’Harra; and a brother George S. O’Harra . Online condolences may be sent for Irving’s family through our website @www.gayandciha.com. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Irving’s family and his services.