Lash, Naomi R. 'Nicki'

Naomi R. “Nicki” Lash, was born June 18, 1927, in Cantril, Iowa, the daughter of Chauncey L. and Bessie (McLeland) Creath. Raised and educated in Cantril, she attended Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, where she was a member of ZTA Sorority and played basketball. She taught elementary school in Clarence, Central City (also coached) and Alburnett.

On June 4, 1950, she married Newell Cochran Lash in Cantril, Iowa. The couple taught at Alburnett until moving to Hermosa Beach, Calif., and taught in Redondo Beach, Calif., for a year. Returning to Iowa, they taught in Springville and then moved permanently to Cedar Rapids. Nicki taught at Wilson Junior High School, and later for the Area Education Agency as a homebound hospital teacher until retirement in 1987. She acquired her Master's Degree from the University of Iowa in 1973.

A courageous optimist, she survived pancreatic cancer in 1990. She enjoyed traveling throughout Europe, Hawaii, Mexico and Canada, and scrapbooks attest to the couple's ventures. Nicki's bags were always packed for the next outing! She was never afraid to try something new.

An energetic gal, she enjoyed softball, basketball, playing bridge, doing Sudoku and crosswords, reading, music and her grandchildren. She was a former member of the University of Iowa Athletic Club and served on the board of directors. She was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church. A gracious hostess, she welcomed and entertained friends and relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Joe and John and their wives; two nephews; and three brothers-in-law.

Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Newell of Cedar Rapids; son, James (Cathy) Lash of Thermopolis, Wyo.; daughter, Cynthia (Allan) Wetzel of Marion; sister, Ellen (Clark) Mortimore of Thermopolis; four grandchildren, Kyle Lash and Katie (Steve) Williamson of Wyoming, Danielle Garbarino at the University of Wisconsin and Jack Wetzel of Marion; and a great-grandbaby on the way; numerous nieces and nephews; in-laws, Lucille Marsh of Madrid, Iowa, Robert Wilson of Canistota, S.D., and Betty Armstrong of New Braunfels, Texas; and longtime friends, Tom Moran and Shirley Grulkey.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to our neighbors, John and Ann Laverty, John and Joanie Mosell and Dennis and Connie Fulton. In addition, the family would like to thank St. Luke's Hospice, the doctors and nursing staff at Manor Care. A special thanks to longtime family physician, Dr. Thomas Schroeder for his care and compassion.

Nicki's life will be celebrated Thursday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids, with the Rev. Harlan Gillespie officiating. A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until service time at the church on Thursday. Burial will be in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Due to recent construction, it is required that visitors to Cedar Memorial enter making a right turn from west bound First Avenue (heading toward downtown).

Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home will assist with arrangements and interment.

Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Scholarship fund or to a charity of donor's choice.

Online condolences may be left at under “obituaries.”

Published in The Gazette Sept. 20, 2011.