Mona Jean Lawlor Morgan, 92, of Marion, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 7, 2023. Friends may greet the family from 4 – 7 p.m. Sunday, November 5, 2023, at Marion Methodist Church located at 5050 Rec Drive in Marion. The formal celebration of her magnificent, faithful life will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 6, 2023, at the church, officiated by Vicki Standley. Private family inurnment will take place at Oak Shade Cemetery in Marion. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion is assisting the family with arrangements. A live stream of the Celebration of Life can be found at www.marionmethodist.org, click “watch live”.
Mona was born on September 25, 1931, near Storm Lake, Iowa, the daughter of Wesley and Alice (Sweet) Lawlor. After her mother’s death in 1936, Mona lived with her grandparents, Frank and Leona Sweet. She graduated from Storm Lake High School and attended Buena Vista College. Later, Mona graduated from Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Mona and Lowell were married in 1955. They lived in GI housing at Buena Vista College, then in Callender and Moville, Iowa where Lowell was a high school teacher and principal. During those years, they became the proud parents of Mark, Mike, and Cheri. In 1965, they moved to Marion, when Lowell became the principal at Marion High School.
Over the years, Mona taught third and fourth grades, elementary music, and remedial reading in several schools. She taught piano in her home and had large classes of piano students. Mona also worked at the Board of Realtors office in Cedar Rapids.
Mona’s Christian faith was very strong and influenced all her life. She was active in church wherever she lived. There she could be found enthusiastically playing the piano or organ, teaching Sunday School, or leading and participating in women’s organizations. Her love for Lowell, their children, and grandchildren, was positively Mona’s greatest joy. Their love in return was her greatest treasure. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lowell; parents, Wesley and Alice Lawlor; brother, Jerry Lawlor; her grandparents; and her stepmother, Laura Lawlor.
Mona is survived and lovingly remembered by her children, Mark (Sheryl) Morgan, Mike (Theresa) Morgan, Cheri (Roy) Morgan Pettibone, all of Marion, Iowa; five grandchildren, Leann Morgan, Travis (Kristie) Pettibone, Sarah (Cameron) Scott, Dan (Allison) Morgan, and Lisa (Kirby) Van Der Kamp; five greatgrandchildren; sisters, Sharon Romano and Maureen (Reiny) Friedrich; and many nieces and nephews.
Mona’s family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials in Mona’s memory may be directed to the Marion Methodist Foundation or the Marion Independent School District Foundation.
Marion Independent School Foundation & Alumni Association appreciates this support in memory of Mona Jean Lawlor Morgan.