Ann Louise Lawton, 61, passed away Tuesday, December 23rd after a long illness at Greene County
Medical Center in Jefferson, Iowa.
Ann was born at 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 associates 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 Wal-Mart 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 Wal-Mart 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 Greene County Animal Shelter Fund.
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. Ten nieces and nephews Kati (Will) Nailor of
Indianola, Diana (Justin) Towers of Jefferson, Lance Lawton of Waukee, Crystal Lawton & 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 & Dorothy Lawton.
Due to COVID-19, visitation will be open Monday, December 28th from 11 am – 6 pm at SliningerSchroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson, Iowa (no family will be present). A private family graveside service
will be held Tuesday, December 29th, 11:00 am at the Franklin Township Cemetery near Cooper, beside
her parents.