Leanne Lawrence

LEANNE MARIE LAWRENCE

Cedar Rapids

A beautiful soul with a free spirit, Leanne Marie Lawrence was called home by our Heavenly Father on the afternoon of Jan. 12, 2017.

Leanne was born Aug. 12, 1988, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids to Dawn Marie and Troy Alan Lawrence, shortly after her twin sister Leah Dawn. They joined their older brother, Noah. As a baby and toddler, Leanne was very adventurous and inquisitive. She was a curious little girl, always wanting to learn more about the world. This was evidenced when she once swallowed a bumble bee, and another time got her finger stuck in a drain.

Leanne attended elementary school at St. Patrick and St. Ludmila and found her love of performing at an early age. Leanne and Leah were show stoppers and were always singing, dancing or playing with their close friends and sidekicks Erica and Andrea Johnson.

Friends were an integral part of Leanne's life, and she will be known as an intensely loyal person. She was always in the presence of her best friend and sister, Leah, but also developed lifelong bonds with friends at College Community School District, especially Cindee, Chelsea, Sara, Hillary, Lindsey and Andrea. She truly enjoyed being surrounded by laughter and friendship.

Leanne was working on her cosmetology degree and had a natural talent for making others feel and look beautiful. It was here that she met her dear friend, Keana, and honed her unique style and knack for fashion.

The great joy of Leanne's life came when she gave birth to her son, Levi, on May 7, 2014. She and her soulmate, Eric, decided that Leanne would dedicate the first year of Levi's life to raising him at home. Leanne was fiercely protective of her son, and loved him with all of her heart.

Without a doubt, Leanne Marie Lawrence was a passionate soul, who loved her child, her family and her friends very deeply.

Leanne is survived by her son, Levi; her lifelong love, Eric Switzer; her father, Troy Lawrence; her mother, Dawn Lane, and stepfather, Joe Kannenberg; twin sister, Leah Lawrence (Candice); brother, Noah Lawrence (Stacy and Payton); grandmother, Jenny Berger; uncle, Marty Lawrence; aunt, Lisa Lawrence (Holly); grandparents, Arlene and John Yanecek; grandparents, John and Arlene Lane; aunt, Cheryl (Leon) Fratzke; aunt, Mary Jo Beebe (Scott); aunt, Enne (Mark) Worrall; aunt, Julie Lane; aunt, Linda (Jason) Hunt; aunt, Ann Brecht; and uncle, John (Kelli) Lane. Leanne also is survived by many cousins and family members, as well as a host of supportive friends.

She joins her great-grandma, Leah Kopaitich; grandpa, Don Berger; and grandpa, Marion Lawrence, in heaven.

Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, and from 9:30 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the church. Funeral service: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Inurnment: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

In lieu of flowers, a perfect way to honor Leanne is through a contribution to Levi's college fund, which can be made to the family.

Please share a memory of Leanne at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.