Lawrence, Ione Frances

Ione Frances Lawrence, 73, of 4420 Bowling St. SW, Cedar Rapids, passed away Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, after a long and courageous battle with COPD. Visitation will be held noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, with services immediately following, by Father Phillip Thompson.

Ione is survived by her son, Bradley Mills; stepdaughter, Rosalyn (Jim) Welch, and a granddaughter, Heather Kirk. In addition, she is survived by a sister, Sister Marie Finnegan of Davenport; a brother, Terry Finnegan of Parnell; two sisters-in-law, Alice Finnegan of Iowa City and Rose Finnegan of Williamsburg; and a brother-in-law, Eugene South of Williamsburg. She also is survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward “Ted” Lawrence; her parents, John and Ellen Finnegan; brothers, John, Leo, Tom and Vince Finnegan; sisters, Irene Bergen, her twin, Mary Kempf, Eileen South and Margaret Swick; sister-in-law, Patsy Finnegan; brothers-in-law, Floyd Bergen, Gordon Swick and John Kempf; and two nephews, Mike South and Bob Finnegan.

Ione was born August 20, 1936, in Iowa City, to John and Ellen (Lenaghan) Finnegan. She graduated from Parnell High School in 1956. She married her husband, Ted, on March 30, 1983, in Dallas, Texas. Ione worked many years for Turner Microphone and Commercial Towel. She was most recently retired. Ione was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church.

Ione will be remembered for her love of God, her love for her family and her dog Oreo. She was generous and kind to friends and strangers alike. She will be greatly missed.

A memorial fund has been established through Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 520 Wilson Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.

Please sign the online guest book for Ione at under obituaries.