Ilten, Ann O'Donnell

CEDAR RAPIDS - Ann O'Donnell Ilten, 50, of Nashville, Tenn., died Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, in Jacksonville, Fla., following an accident. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct 25, at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids with the Rev. Ted Miller officiating. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.

Ann was born in Cedar Rapids on Oct. 5, 1960, to Michael and Jean O'Donnell. Ann enjoyed an idyllic childhood in Cedar Rapids, growing up with a large family and many good friends. At 16, Ann moved to Troy, N.Y., to attend Emma Willard School as her grandmother, Gigi, had before her. Ann went on to attend Smith College in Northampton, Mass., and the University of Iowa.

Ann volunteered in the campaign to elect Congressman Tom Tauke in 1979 and served on his staff on the House Subcommittee on Aging until 1991. Ann was proud to have worked on many pieces of legislation and speeches that will forever be a part of the Congressional Record. In 1991, Ann joined the first Bush White House serving on the Commission on Aging and the Department of Labor. She later became a lobbyist for the United Way.

On a holiday trip home to Cedar Rapids, Ann discovered new love in an old friend. Ann married Doug Ilten on Nov. 15, 1997, in Cedar Rapids and moved to Nashville, Tenn., to pursue their dreams in the music industry. Over the years, Black & White Backline provided instruments to bands like Kool & the Gang, Jeffrey Osborne and KC and the Sunshine Band to name a few and developed many lasting friendships.

Ann was heartbroken at Doug's death in 2007 and was comforted by her other love, her many pets.

Ann is survived by her brother, Michael (Tiffany) O'Donnell; nieces, Devon and Luciana; goddaughter, Alexandra Lederer; and many, many loved ones. She also leaves behind her “kids” – dogs Nikki and Abbie and cats Ebony, Jaco, Keith, Louie and Sammy.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to the Founders' Fund at the Indian Creek Nature Center.

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