Judith "Judy" Lattner Dows

Judith "Judy" Lattner Dows

Cedar Rapids

Judy was born at Cedar Rapids Mercy Hospital on March 27, 1930, the daughter of Bedford (Bud) Paul Lattner and Alta Booton Lattner. She was the younger of two daughters born to Bud and Alta.

Judy married Sutherland (Sud) Dows in 1948 at St. Matthews church in Cedar Rapids. Together they raised four daughters: Tris Dows (Steve Junge), Julie Dows Coffman (Doug Coffman), Francie Dows and Laurie Dows.

Following graduation from Franklin High School, Judy attended Coe college where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and Education, followed by a Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of Iowa. Judy always remembered with fondness her years teaching at Tyler Elementary, Adams Elementary and Coe College as well as her many wonderful students.

During the years, she and Sud lived in Cedar Rapids, Judy loved playing Viola in the Cedar Rapids Symphony and volunteered with several local organizations. They also enjoyed time spent on the Mississippi at their cabin, the Shady Rest in McGregor, water skiing and fishing, as well as golfing and annual trips to Colorado.

Judy and Sud moved to Aspen, Colo., in 1970 and enjoyed many years there skiing, hiking, horseback riding and listening to music. Judy served on the board of the Aspen Music Festival, and studied in Japan as a Fellow of the Aspen Institute. Along the way, she developed a passion for weaving and studied in Haystack, Maine as well as learning the Gobelins Tapestry technique during a summer spent in France. She kept a weaving studio in Aspen where she created many beautiful works of art. During this time, Judy also served as a trustee of the American Arts and Crafts Council and was involved with the Aspen International Design Conference.

Following Sud's death in 1997, Judy lived in Colorado and Arizona before returning to Cedar Rapids in 2018 to be closer to her family. In the past four years, she enjoyed time spent with her beloved great granddaughter, Ava Isolde, daughter, Tris, and son-in-law, Steve, holidays with extended family, attending the symphony, and playing bridge with her friends at Cottage Grove Place.

In addition to her four daughters, Judy is survived by her niece and goddaughter, Judy Maher Meli; her cousin, Paul Phelan of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Sutherland Junge (Felisha) of Cedar Rapids, Will Kirwin (Carola), Joe Kirwin and Megan Rash, all of Colorado; bonus granddaughter, Michelle McGuire of Cedar Rapids; and five great-grandchildren, Ava Isolde Junge, Gisella Junge, Dekker Junge, Julie Kirwin and Liam Kirwin.

She was predeceased by her parents, husband and her sister, Joan Lattner (Ted) Maher.

The family would like to thank all those angels who assisted in Judy's care her last months, including Mercy Hospice and her loving family at The Caregivers. Heart felt thanks are extended to Krista Woltman and Fran Burgin, who adored Judy as much as her family did, and Sandy, Lexie, Leah, Micah, Heather and Jada who treated her with dignity and love every single day. We would also like to thank Paul Phelan and Mary Beth Phelan Helgens for their special gift a few days before Judy passed away.

A memorial gathering for Judy will be held at a later date. Donations in Judy's memory may be made to Orchestra Iowa, 119 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401; or the Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401.

Condolences may be mailed to Tris Dows, P.O. Box 1527, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406 or tris@lattner.com.