Lorna Mae Sawyer, 81, of the Kahl Home in Davenport, Iowa, formerly of Princeton, Iowa, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2024. Born on April 20, 1943 in Davenport, Iowa. Lorna was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.
Lorna grew up in Eldridge, Iowa where she graduated from North Scott High School and attended the University of Iowa and later Wartburg College. Lorna received a degree from Wartburg College in elementary education in 1966. She spent several years teaching in Bettendorf, New Jersey, and California before returning to North Scott Schools.
Lorna married Norman Sawyer on April 28, 1973, and shared 47 wonderful years together. They raised their three children, Herbert (Meredith McQuiston), Neal (Lucie), and Sarah (Mike) Zahradnik, on the family farm in Princeton, Iowa, where Lorna took great pride in creating a loving and supportive home. She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, where she found comfort and community. She enjoyed singing in the choir and served many years teaching and leading Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and confirmation classes. She cherished the lifelong friendships she made there.
Lorna was a passionate educator, returning to the classroom after receiving a Master's of Science in special education from Western Illinois University in 1995. She dedicated many years to teaching in the Bettendorf School District as an 8th Grade Middle School Special Education teacher with the additional role of Advisor for the Bettendorf Middle School Newspaper, The Terrier Times. She touched the lives of countless students, inspiring them with her knowledge, advocating for each student’s needs, kindness, and unwavering belief in their potential.
Lorna enjoyed an afternoon walk, writing letters to friends she had made, cooking, and most of all spending time with her friends and family, especially her grandchildren Ruben, Iris, Annabelle, William, and Megan, who were the light of her life. Lorna is survived by her children, Herbert, Neal, and Sarah, their spouses, and her grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman, and her parents, Robert and Velma Tank, and two older brothers Jim Tank and Ken Tank.
A memorial visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2024 at Weerts Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church, Princeton, IA.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Zion Lutheran Church in Lorna's memory or to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Words of sympathy may be expressed at www.weertsfh.com.
