RaAnna Kay Withrow of Perry was born in Des Moines, Iowa, to Billy Ray and Deanna Mae Buel on Nov. 11, 1959. She was called to her Heavenly Home on Dec. 29, 2024, at the age of 65.
RaAnna lived her entire childhood in Van Meter, where she met her best friend, Janet Dayton. This friendship stood the test of time.
RaAnna graduated from Van Meter High School in 1978, receiving not only her diploma but an award for perfect attendance! Later in life she developed a lasting friendship with Vickie Riemer.
After high school RaAnna joined the workforce and met her first husband, Dallas Martin. Five children were born to this union. She would later meet and marry her second husband, Lawrence. To this union, two more children were born.
RaAnna was in a bowling league during her young adulthood.
She was a talker and met no stranger. No matter the event or situation, you could find her chatting it up with someone.
RaAnna enjoyed taking her children fishing, on camping trips and being involved in their lives.
She loved hosting holiday parties that often resulted in card and board games.
Like her parents, she also had a love for Elvis Presley.
There was one annual event RaAnna never missed, the Iowa State Fair!
RaAnna was a great woman, wife, sister, mother and grandma with a kind, gentle soul and generous heart. She was grateful for her family, friends and faith. She was the glue that kept the family connected, even with distance between some of us.
RaAnna had a rewarding life and will be greatly missed by many.
RaAnna is survived by her husband, Lawrence Withrow; her children, Suezanne (Eric Palmer) Martin of Yuma, Arizona, Melinda (Richard) Enderton of Van Meter, Joey Martin of Niceville, Florida, Amanda Martin of Perry, Joshua (Amanda) Martin of Rockwell City, Iowa, Cody (Mackenzie) Withrow of Perry and Heidi (Anthony) Merrill of Van Meter; her grandchildren, Emilia Palmer, Jayce, Caitelyn and Brynn Enderton, Bentley and Hunter Martin, Andrea Goehring and Adrian Quijas, Mavrik, Rylan and River Martin, Matthew Navarro and Oliver Christians, Miley and Caleb Withrow and Jaiden and Jonathan Merrill; her siblings and in-laws, Dena (Donnie) Smith of Perry and Charles (Karen) Buel of Booneville; and many nieces; nephews; great-nieces; great-nephews; cousins; and numerous friends.
RaAnna was preceded in death by her parents, Billy Ray and Deanna Buel; Curtis Bruns; and cousin, Rodney Lemon.
Funeral services for RaAnna will be held Thursday, Jan. 2 at 11 a.m. at the Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home-Adel Chapel. Family will greet friends one hour prior, beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Cranio Care Bears and/or to Autism Awareness. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.
