Madonna Gannon

Madonna Gannon, 88, of rural Welton, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Senior Star at Elmore Place in Davenport.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. in the church. The Rev. Fr. Michael Snyder officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, DeWitt.

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Madonna Elizabeth Wagemester was born June 14, 1937, in Clinton, Iowa, to Leo & Genevieve (Borman) Wagemester. She grew up in rural DeWitt, graduating from St. Joseph Catholic School. She then received certification as a cosmetologist, and worked at a salon at 5-Points in Davenport for many years. Madonna was united in marriage to James Gannon on September 3, 1966, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, DeWitt. The couple farmed for many years at rural Welton, where Madonna was a homemaker, raising 4 children. Madonna later worked in the bakeries of North Scott Foods and Barnes Foodland. 

Madonna was an avid KMAQ listener who never missed a bingo show. She was well known for her baking and once took home a ribbon in the Bake It with Lard competition. She also typed up the Iowa Paint Pony Newsletter and could often be found washing horses, braiding manes, and even stepping into the show ring at a few futurity shows. Madonna was also a proud member of the Sunrise Saddle Club and enjoyed participating in the Open Flower Show. If she and Jim had one lawn decoration, they had fifty. Madonna served as a Eucharistic minister and was deeply involved in her faith. She was a longtime member of St. Anne’s in Welton, where she sang in the choir and served on the Altar and Rosary. She was later a member of St. Joseph’s in DeWitt. Madonna was also a 4-H mom and volunteer. After Jim’s passing, her beloved Great Pyrenees, Lucy, became a constant and loyal companion. Her neighbors were like family—and according to her, she had the very best.

Surviving are children and their spouses, David and Debbie Gannon of Bettendorf, Iowa, Dean and Dawn Gannon of Wheatland, Iowa, Deanna and Eric Martens of Wyoming, Iowa, and Duane and Deb Gannon of DeWitt, Iowa; grandchildren, Tiffany Abbott, Trevor (Karlie) Gannon, Trina (Tony) Vicary, Chandler Gannon, Gabi (Sam) Ludwig, Alex Martens, Shawn Yaddof, and Tara (Brandon) Hansen; great-grandchildren, Tristina, Baily (Cassidy) and Spencer Abbott, Elijah and Ariel Gannon, Anthony, Declan, and Dawson Vicary, Emma Garien, Carver and Adley Hansen, and Lane, MaKinley and Paige Yaddof; great-great-grandchildren, Phoenix Abbott, and Archer Abbott; siblings, Vicki Jaeger, Lenora Frost, and Leon (Debbie) Wagemester; a brother-in-law, James Richmond; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her husband, Jim, who passed away in 2011, she was also preceded in death by her sisters, Geri Richmond, and Gloria Couture, and brothers-in-law, Lyle Jaeger, and Bud Frost.

The Family would like to thank Genesis Hospice and Senior Star for their excellent care and compassion for Madonna, also very special neighbors, the McMain families (especially Ken), for years of fellowship and friendship.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Catholic Church in DeWitt, and Senior Star. 

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. Condolences may be expressed at www.schultzfuneralhomes.com

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