Lorna Renae Hartley, 75, of Ottumwa, died peacefully, surrounded by her family at 2:05 p.m. January 2, 2026 at her home, where her dedicated husband had taken care of her throughout her illness for the past 5 years.
She was born January 5, 1950 in Ottumwa to Vaughn and Helen Elaine Jobe Moore.
Growing up in Arizona, Colorado and California, she graduated high school while living in Blythe, CA. Moving back to Ottumwa, she was one of the first single mothers to be named a Foster Parent in Iowa. She married Rodney Clyde Hartley April 17, 1976.
Renae had worked in sales for Crystal Forest and Angel Graphics. Through the years of her career, she was nicknamed “Sunny” due to her friendly personality. She had a gift to talk and could make any stranger feel like she had known them for years. She always has a smile on her face and a laugh that could fill the room. She was known for her compassion and selfless acts of kindness she gave to others. In her retirement, she enjoyed working at Herberger’s and McGregors Furniture.
She had many passions throughout her life including raising and breaking horses, organizing the Iowa Junior Miss Pageant, volunteering for the duck races, Festival of Trees and decorating many floats for the parades. She loved to decorate for any occasion and was the first one to volunteer if any one needed help with their wedding. She had a gift when putting together floral arrangements, and planting flowers. Above everything else she loved being a Grandma. She never missed an event and was always present for every activity to take pictures as she loved capturing every moment. She always loved spending time with her grandkids with her daily drop ins to say hi and you could find all of them spending the night with her on the weekends. She had to make every occasion special for them.
Surviving is her loving husband, Rod; children, Tanya Barton, Troy Gaudin and Heather Easton all of Ottumwa; grandchildren, Kodi, Mackenzie, Chalon, Lance, Hunter, Caleb, Macie, Trenton and Tayton (Ashley); 9 great grandchildren; and a great-aunt, Marilyn Jobe.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Vaughn Moore, Jerry Moore and Paul Moore; sisters, Sharon Lentner and infant, Patricia Moore.
Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, January 7th at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Hornback officiating. Visitation with her family present to greet friends will follow the service until 6 p.m. Wednesday. Cremation will follow the visitation.
Memorials may be made to Whatsoever You Do women’s shelter or Blessings Soup Kitchen.
