Anne Elizabeth Izzolena

Anne Elizabeth Izzolena, aged 68, passed away suddenly on October 19, 2023, after a prolonged battle with breast cancer.

Anne was born in Des Moines, Iowa October 5, 1955, to Robert Johnson and Gretchen Lindsey (nee Hayne). The oldest of six children, Anne spent a lot of time playing with and caring for her siblings.

Education was important to Anne who was an accomplished student graduating with honors from Roosevelt High School at 16 years of age. In July 1973, Anne was blessed with her first child, a daughter, Wendy. While raising her daughter, Anne continued her education and received her bachelor’s in education from Drake University. During this time, she met, and shortly before graduating, married Bill Schwab and began their family having three more children, Molly, Laura, and Alex before divorcing in 1982. In 1985, Anne met Jim Izzolena through mutual friends. They were married in January 1987 and welcomed their son, Jimi, in December of that same year. Anne and Jim remained together for almost ten years before divorcing in late 1996.

Anne strongly believed in the importance of work and of doing one’s job well. Over the years she tried her hand at many different professions including teaching, commercial real estate, construction, and retail/customer service. However, she didn’t find her true calling until much later in life when she became a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) and a Corrections Counselor at the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women (ICIW) in Mitchellville. Anne worked for ICIW for over 12 years before retiring at age 67. Over the years she succeeded in helping hundreds of women take meaningful steps to improve their lives.

Along with her role as a counselor, Anne’s other calling was that of a grandmother. Anne loved spending time with her grandchildren. They were her whole world. She was always there to listen and encourage them in their various interests whether it was to attend a football, rugby or baseball game, a concert, or a play or even a fashion show.

Anne was well-loved with many of her friendships lasting since high school. Playing cards was a favorite pastime whether it was bridge, pitch, or cribbage. Anne had a group of friends from high school that would get together regularly to play. Other interests included baking (cookies and pies were favorites), drawing, watercolors, and most of all reading. Her Kindle was one of her most important possessions.

Anne will always be remembered for her delicious fruit pies and Christmas cookies that she shared with everyone. However, it was her listening ear and straight forward approach to life advice that will be truly missed by those that loved her.

Anne was preceded in death by her grandmother, Lucille Ratcliff; grandfather, Willard Hayne; and father, Robert Johnson. Anne is survived by her mother, Gretchen Lindsey; siblings, John Lindsey (Karen), Leslie McCleary (John), Connie Lindsey, Tom Lindsey, and Brad Lindsey; children, Wendy DePhillips (Matt), Molly Schwab (Billy), Laura Sloan (Grant), William “Alex” Schwab, and James “Jimi” Izzolena; grandchildren, Lexi, Trent, Katie, Fiore, Liz, Colton, Drake, Marley, Kymber, and Aiden; and four great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Anne at the King David Lodge, 707 8th Street SE, Altoona, IA 50009 on Saturday, October 28, 2023. Visitation with family will begin at 1:00 p.m., with the service following at 2:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family to help cover the cost of the arrangements. If you choose, you may Venmo Wendy DePhillips directly @Wendy-DePhillips-2. click here.

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