Mary JoAnn O’Donnell

Mary JoAnn O’Donnell

Cedar Rapids

Mary JoAnn O’Donnell, 84, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Dec. 3, 2022, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Visitation: 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hiawatha. Mass of Christian Burial: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hiawatha. Private Inurnment: Mount Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids at a future date. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is assisting the family.

JoAnn was born on July 7, 1938, to Bernard and Vera (McDonnell) Houlahan in Ryan, Iowa. After she graduated from high school, she went to Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids and later worked at Consolidate Credit. She met the love of her life, Ed O’Donnell, and they were married on Nov. 3, 1962. As JoAnn often said, they began their adventurous life together, moving to Milwaukee, Wis., Minneapolis, Minn., St. Louis, Mo., Cleveland, Ohio, and finally back to Davenport and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. JoAnn was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. JoAnn’s love was the glue and rock for her family.

She is survived by her husband Ed O’Donnell, children Michael (Ann) O’Donnell, Ellen (Matt) Bradley, Margaret O’Donnell, and Timothy O’Donnell, grandsons Ryan (Alyssa) Bradley and Kevin O’Donnell, granddaughters Sara (Parker) Erickson, Madeline O’Donnell, and Hannah O’Donnell, great-grandchildren Tracy and Tyler Bradley and Bradley Erickson, one sister, Maureen (Miles) McDonald, and many nieces and nephews.

JoAnn was preceded in death by her parents Bernard and Vera Houlahan, sister Connie (Mark) Cox, granddaughter Molly Bradley, and stepgrandson Adam O’Donnell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to your favorite charity.

Online condolences are welcome at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.