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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
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Jeanne Newport
JEANNE LAVAUNNE NEWPORT (SWECKER)
Cedar Rapids
Jeanne LaVaunne Newport (Swecker), 91, passed on Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, while at Northbrook Manor Care Center from a long illness.
Jeanne was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on July 23, 1927. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Newport; her mother, Marie Emanuel (Blackford); her father, Lawrence Swecker; her sister, Isabelle Bixby (Swecker); and a half sister, Nancy Swecker.
She is survived by her half sister, Betsy Swecker; and her half brother, Terry Emanuel (Peg). Jeanne had three children, Diane Janda, Summerfield, Fla., Larry Newport (Mary), Kansas City, Mo., and Tom Newport (Stephanie), Cedar Rapids. She was blessed with six grandchildren, Mindy Sorg (David), Jade Barta (Allison), Thad Newport (Katrina), Acacia Leatherman (Mike), Shelby Newport (Mark Baker) and Grant Newport. Jeanne had five great-grandchildren, Emma, Carlie and Landon Sorg and Mallory and Emily Newport.
Jeanne and her husband Jerry were owners and operators of Newport Flowers for many, many years. Jeanne was very talented and designed flowers for weddings, graduations and many different special occasions. Jeanne loved to cook, and potlucks were a favorite of hers. She was also a great seamstress; she loved making things for her grandchildren. She also loved decorating for the holidays.
Jeanne was a long-standing member of Hope Lutheran Church and loved participating in helping the church members. She was active in the Crescent Lodge & Masonic, the Antique Car Club, the Cedar Rapids Boat Club, and very active in the El Kahir Shriners Organization. She was involved in many other organizations in the Cedar Rapids community.
Her most favorite thing in life was being with her grandchildren.
Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Sister and Friend, you are loved so much, more than you will ever know. We will miss you dearly. You will forever be in our hearts.
The visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home. The celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories.
In lieu of flowers, you may want to make a donation to Jeanne's favorite charity for children at the Shriners organization in Cedar Rapids.
Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.
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