Josephine Young Lanz (1928-2023)

LANZ, YOUNG, DUNCAN, GAUMER, GRAVEN, SNYDER

Posted By: Barry Mateer (email)
Date: 10/1/2023 at 08:26:03

Cedar Rapids Gazette
October 1, 2023

Josephine “Josie” M. Lanz, 94, of Cedar Rapids, passed away surrounded by her family singing hymns on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023, at UnityPoint-St.Luke’s Hospital. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 7, at Salem United Methodist Church by Pastor Matt German. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, Oct. 6, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Teahen Funeral Home, and on Saturday at the church after 10 a.m.

Josie is survived by her husband, Robert; children, Tyrone (Elena) Lanz of Moline, Ill., Robert (Elaine) Lanz of Cedar Rapids, Cynthia (Donald) Duncan of Santa Fe, N.M.; and James (Karen) Lanz of Littleton, Colo.; 10 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Dorothy (Phil) Gaumer; brother, Rex Young; and many nieces and nephews.

Josie was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Milton Young; and sister, Janice Graven.

Josephine was born on Sept. 2, 1928, in Osceola, Iowa, the daughter of Orville and Ruth Snyder Young. She married Robert Lanz on Feb. 15, 1948, in Osceola.

Josie enjoyed entertaining and having family get togethers, baking pies, playing the piano, playing “500” with friends, singing whenever she had the chance, including in the church choir, duets with her daughter, and performing in melodramas. She was a devoted wife to her husband, “Bob,” for 75 years, whom she met at age 15. They shared their lives together in Osceola, Mason City, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as well as Buena Vista, Colo., North Aurora, Ill., and Kingman, Ariz. During that time, Josie was a loving mother and homemaker, a gifted salesperson, selling Avon and real estate, and a partner with Bob in a successful business.