Ella Jean Robb

Ella Jean Robb

Cedar Rapids

Ella Jean Robb, 97, died January 7, 2025, at The Meth Wick Community in Cedar Rapids. She had lived with dementia during her last years.

Jean was born April 9, 1927, in Darby, Iowa, to Harry and Pearl Woodward. She graduated from Moravia High School and married Thomas Allen Robb on July 28, 1945, in New London, Connecticut.

Because of Tom’s job with the Iowa Extension Service they moved frequently around the state, living in Ames, Knoxville, Washington, Iowa City, Ottumwa, Urbandale, and finally moving back to Moravia in 1981 to live on the family Century Farm.

Jean worked as a secretary at the Methodist Church in Washington and at the Wesley Center in Iowa City. In Urbandale she worked in the Sears credit department, then in the Iowa Legislature, and finally joined Governor Robert Ray’s staff. She was always active in the United Methodist Church and P.E.O.

Jean was predeceased by her husband, Tom, in 1999, and her daughter Barbara (Robert) Channell in 2021, as well as her parents and her three brothers and their wives. She is survived and remembered as the best mom and grandma that anyone could ask for by her son, Alan (Wendy Buresh) Robb, MD, daughter Melissa Robb, five grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

There will be no services at this time, but the family plans to gather at the farm later this year, and will let friends know when that will be. Cedar Memorial in Cedar Rapids is in charge of arrangements.