Ann Lawton

Ann Louise Lawton, 61, passed away Dec. 23 after a long illness at the Greene County Medical Center.

Ann was born at the Greene County Medical Center on May 27, 1959. She was the daughter of the late Gerald and Dorothy (Dot) Lawton, of Cooper.

Ann graduated from Jefferson Community High School in 1978. She attended Kirkwood Community College, receiving an associate degree in education careers in 1983.

Ann lived and worked in Cedar Rapids for over 30 years. She had a special gift of helping the elderly and children. She worked as a CNA for Cedar Rapids Area Senior Living Centers. She loved working with the senior population and had a way to bring a smile to their faces and brighten their days.

Ann then served the Cedar Rapids School District for many years as a para-professional for pre-school and elementary children with special needs. She spent hours finding just the right craft activity for the kids and cared for the kids as her own.

She always had a second job and worked at Walmart in Cedar Rapids in the electronics department. She was a hard worker and took pride in all of her work.

Ann’s time in Cedar Rapids was treasured by her maternal grandparents, Cyril and Luella Boddicker. She offered our family much comfort in knowing that Ann was able to spend hours with Grandpa Boddicker watching his treasured Chicago Cubs. After they passed, Ann returned to central Iowa to be near family.

When she returned to this area, she worked for the Panorama School District as a para-professional and traveled to Grimes to work at Walmart for a short time.

Ann was very creative in anything she touched. Creative writing, cake decorating and other crafts kept Ann on the go. She refinished a beautiful antique ice chest that was treasured by her mother and the entire family.

Throughout the years, Ann was always doing crafts and is most remembered for her yarn Santa Claus decorations and making “Reindeer Food” each Christmas for all the young children she knew, family and friends. Her nieces and nephews were very special to her, so she loved her given nickname, Uncle Buck, as she was never the typical “Aunt.” Ann was the ultimate people person with a wonderful sense of humor.  She never knew a stranger and always treated them as family and friends.

Ann treasured her childhood pet poodle, Kung Fu, and all the other family farm dogs. Because of that, memorials may be directed to the Greene County Animal Shelter Fund.

A private family graveside service was held Dec. 29 at the Franklin Twp. Cemetery, Cooper, with words of comfort by Pastor Larry Monthei.

Recorded music included “Everything is Beautiful” by Ray Stevens and “Under the Bridge” by Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Honorary bearers were Kati Nailor, Diana Towers, Crystal Lawton, Autumn Larson, Bridget Dunn and Kylie Dunn.

Casket bearers were Lance Lawton, Will Nailor, Justin Towers, Curtis Carstens, Reed Larson, Ethan Dunn, Drew Lawton and Nic Lawton. 

Ann is survived by her three brothers: Doug (Karen), of Cooper; Ron (Jane), of Jefferson; and Todd (Amy), of Dallas Center; and sister Karin Lawton-Dunn, of Grimes; 10 nieces and nephews: Kati (Will) Nailor, of Indianola; Diana (Justin) Towers, of Jefferson; Lance Lawton, of Waukee; Crystal Lawton and Curtis Carstens, of Jefferson; Autumn (Reed) Larson, of Jefferson; Drew Lawton, of Chicago; Nic Lawton, of Dallas Center; Ethan, Bridget and Kylie Dunn, of Grimes; eight great-nieces and nephews; family; and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Gerald and Dorothy Lawton.

Services were provided by the Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home.