Anne Margaret Lanich

1924 - 2024

Anne Margaret Lanich

August 10, 1924-April 5, 2024

Anne Margaret Lanich died on April 5, 2024, at Wellspring Living Facility, Friendship Village, passing away peacefully in her sleep. Family had been visiting that evening, and she had also visited with a dear friend during the day at Wellspring.

She was born at home in Philadelphia, Pa, on August 10, 1924, one minute after her twin sister Irene. This made Anne the youngest of the five daughters of Carmen Anthony Rollo (originally Renzullo) and Katherine Brennan Rollo. Anne graduated from West Catholic Girls High School in Philadelphia, Pa. in 1943.

She met her future husband, Oscar K. Lanich Jr. MD, when she was sixteen and he was eighteen. He was playing piano in a band at a house party in West Philly, and Anne and her twin sister were dancing outside. Oscar came outside during the band break, and they met. It was love at first sight!

Years later, they married after Oscar was put through medical school by the Army Air Corps. He became a physician at 24 years old, and she became a military spouse, traveling with him from base hospital to base hospital in the US.

She suffered four miscarriages during this stressful time. They joyfully welcomed daughter Deborah Lanich (husband Richard LaBrie) in 1949, after Oscar left active duty, and son Stephen Lanich (wife Laurene Lanich), in 1951.Anne has three grandchildren, Natalie Heineman, Tara Lanich-LaBrie, and Jacob Lanich, and four great grandchildren, Quinton, Audrey, Milo, and Nila.

She was preceded in death by a stillborn son, James Lanich, her parents, Katherine and Carmen Rollo, her in-laws, Frances and Oscar K. Lanich Sr., her sister-in-law, Jeanne Rastatter, her four sisters, Marie Dahm, Florence Clark, Claire Downes, and twin sister, Irene Simon, as well as her brothers-in-law, and much-loved nieces and nephews.

Anne was proud that she worked at Bell Telephone Company in Philadelphia before she married. She worked countless charity volunteer hours in Waterloo, and was a member of the Serra Club, and the Waterloo Woman's Club.

Anne was a devout Catholic with a special devotion to the Blessed Mother. With a big pot of black coffee, she said prayers each morning for an hour for family, friends, and special intentions.

Anne conquered many debilitating diseases during her life, beating Scarlet Fever as a child, tuberculosis, and five bouts with cancer. Her faith and determination have been an inspiration to all who know her. Many in the family nicknamed her "The Iron Maiden" for her strength and courage during her lifetime.

A great light has gone out in the world, but heaven is quite a bit brighter as she joins her loved ones. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, April 12, 2024, at St. Edward Church, Waterloo, Iowa, with inurnment at the family gravesite in Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Waterloo, Iowa. There will be public visitation for an hour before services at the church.

A luncheon at the church dining area will be held for attendees immediately after the graveside service. Rest in Peace and Power. May her memory be a blessing.

We would like memorials to go to the Ann and Dr. Oscar Lanich Scholarship Fund at the Allen Hospital School of Nursing in Waterloo Iowa.

"The Family wishes to thank the staff at Friendship Village for almost 20 years of kind, professional, compassionate care for Anne. The family also wishes to acknowledge Cedar Valley Hospice for their dedicated and supportive end of life care for Anne."