Leedom, Elizabeth Ann

Elizabeth Ann Leedom, 93, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, April 15, 2010. Services: 10 a.m. Friday at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel, where visitation will be Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. Burial: Eastside Cemetery, Elkader. The Rev. John Seitz will officiate.

Elizabeth is survived by her grandson, Mike Gillette and his wife Tammie, of Cedar Rapids; four great-grandchildren, Jennifer Johnston of Dover, N.J., Steven Gillette of Tampa, Fla., Katherine and Erin Gillette of Cedar Rapids; and two great-great-grandchildren, Chloe and Liam Johnston of Dover, N.J.

Elizabeth was born Feb. 14, 1917, in Elkader, Iowa, the daughter of William and Lina Reimer. She was raised in Elkader and graduated from Central Elkader High School. Elizabeth married Jack Cawthorne in 1938 and their daughter, Lynn Sharon Cawthorne, was born in 1942. Jack died in an automobile accident in 1960. Elizabeth then married Robert Leedom in 1964. Robert Leedom died in 1993 and her daughter, Lynn Cawthorne Spyr, in 1977.

Elizabeth worked in retail management, first in Chicago and ultimately in Cedar Rapids where she worked as store manager of the Lindale Plaza Younkers store before retiring.

An ardent history buff, Elizabeth was actively involved with Questers, the Iowa Historical Society, and she served as a longtime volunteer at Seminole Valley Farm. Elizabeth also enjoyed gardening, canoeing and bird-watching. Elizabeth was passionate about traveling. Along with her husband Robert, she made numerous trips throughout Europe. And into her 80s, Elizabeth made unaccompanied trips to both Russia and the Czech Republic.