Rainbow, Lillian 'Joy'

Lillian "Joy" Rainbow, 79, of 3487 Raven Lane NE, died August 11, 2009, at St. Luke's Hospital following an extended illness. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, at St. Mark's Lutheran Faith and Life Center. Rev. Perry Fruhling will officiate. Friends may call after 10 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Private inurnment will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Surviving are her husband of almost 60 years, William "Bud" C. Rainbow; her children Gary and wife Peggy of Madison, Wis., Mark and wife Barbara of Fairfield, Peter and wife June of Robins, Joel and wife Diane of Gilbert, Ariz., and Cathy Swenson and husband Daniel of Marion; 12 grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and two brothers Edward and Terry.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Lillian "Joy" Joyrene Rainbow was born March 30, 1930, in Des Moines, the daughter of Robert and Margaret (Carlson) Emmons. She was educated through the Des Moines Public Schools, later attended UNI, and was a graduate of Mount Mercy College. She was united in marriage to William "Bud" C. Rainbow on December 30, 1949, in Cedar Falls. She worked as an elementary school teacher in Cedar Rapids from 1972 – 1993, at both Pierce and Grant Wood. She was a member of the Retired Teacher's Association, PEO, DAR-Mayflower Chapter, and St. Mark's Lutheran Faith and Life Center. She enjoyed gardening, and above all enjoyed time spent with her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by her family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Joy's honor are made to St. Luke's Hospice.

Please leave a message, tribute, or memory to Joy's family on our Web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.