Sara Palmer

SARA PALMER

Cedar Rapids

Sara Ann Palmer passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers, Fla., of a brain aneurysm at the age of 72 years.

Sara was born Oct. 29, 1942, in Sigourney, Iowa, the daughter of Thomas Francis and Anna Leola (Malley) Monaghan. She graduated from Keota High School in 1960 and attended Ottumwa Heights Junior College. Sara was united in marriage to Larry Allen (Pete) Palmer on Jan. 27, 1962, in Montrose, Scotland. The couple has lived in Cedar Rapids for over 40 years. Sara owned the Bed & Bath store from 1973 to 1979, worked for McGladrey & Pullen from 1988 to 2001 and from 2001 to 2007, worked for Cedar Rapids schools in transportation.

After retirement the couple enjoyed spending winters in Estero, Fla. Sara enjoyed decorating, cooking, baking, scrapbooking, reading and spending time and entertaining her family and friends. She was a member of St. John XXIII Catholic Church.

She is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, Larry (Pete) Palmer; a son, Thomas Palmer of Sarasota, Fla.; a daughter, Angela (Richard) Hach of Dysart; two grandchildren, Cara Hach and Joshua Palmer; two brothers, Jerry (Nancy) Flynn of Keota and Bill (Shelly) Flynn of West Liberty; two sisters, Mary Long of Des Moines and Peg (David) Levy of Urbandale; and a special friend of the family, Christine Caldwell.

She was preceded in death by her father, Thomas, who was killed in World War II; and her mother, Leola and stepfather John Flynn.

Memorial Mass will be 11 a.m. Monday, April 27, at St. John XXIII Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Father Dustin Vu will preside. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to service time on Monday at the church. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for Sara and her family.

Messages may be left at www.powellfuneral homes.com.