Ann B. Crowell

Mason City, Iowa -  Ann Crowell, 94 who was residing at the Good Shepherd Health Center,  passed away Thursday, March 13, 2008.  She had been in failing health for several years since moving to Mason City IA to be near her daughter, Jill (Crowell) Thoreson, wife of Dr. J.D. Thoreson.  Upon her wishes she was cremated and the burial will be in Galesburg, IL beside her husband.  Graveside service will be held in the spring.  Memorials should be sent to the American Cancer Society or the March of Dimes.     
 
Ann was born as Mable Anne Bertha Blank in Edgerton Wisconsin on July 2, 1913 to August W. Blank and Rose Mary (Maas) Blank.  She grew up in Edgerton with her four sisters (Dorothea, Lucille, "Kelly," and Henrietta) and three brothers (George, William, and "Wally") all of whom preceded her in death. 
            She excelled in school and entered Nurses Training in Madison Wisconsin.   She graduated from Madison General Hospital in 1935 with her nursing degree.  It was during her training at Madison General Hospital that she first met Edwin A. Crowell, Jr. who was to become her husband of 52 years.  He was in training at Iowa City and doing an externship in General Surgery at Madison General Hospital.   They were married on February 7, 1937.   Subsequently, she moved to Iowa City where their son, Edwin A. Crowell, III was born at University Hospitals on October 9, 1941.  After completion of his Surgical Training, Edwin joined the Army Air Corps.  Their daughter, Mary Jill Crowell was born on July 27, 1945 at Fort George Wright in Spokane Washington.  When the War ended they moved to Galesburg, Ill. to join the practice of Dr Frederick Hambrecht where Edwin practiced for 39 years.  Ann was a member or P.E.O., AN Chapter, The Cottage Hospital Auxiliary, and the First United Methodist Church, Galesburg while she lived in their home.     
            Jill married Dr. J.D. Thoreson of Postville, Iowa in 1967 and raised four children (Kirk, Erika, Todd and Lisa) in Mason City, Iowa.  Eddie married Mary Jean McLaury of Nevada, Iowa in 1968 and raised three children (Michelle, Heather and Thomas).  All survived Ann's passing.      Also surviving her were seven great-grand children:  Mary and Bradley Langan, Ethan and Lillian Coburn, Britany and Courtney Koenig, and Alexandra Thoreson.  One great-grand child, Gavin Michael Coburn, died shortly after birth.  His heart was transplanted into another infant who continues to be in good health following the transplant.