Cynthia “Cyndy” McGrane
August 24, 1935 – August 24, 2024

Cynthia (Cyndy) Diane Peterson McGrane was born in Keokuk, Iowa, on May 15, 1950. The only child of H.M. and Doris (Luebke) Peterson, she was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Keokuk and graduated from Keokuk Senior High School in 1968. She went on to double major in French and English Education at the University of Northern Iowa and graduated with honors from there in 1972. She later earned a Master’s Degree in French Literature from the University of Northern Iowa and also became state certified to teach Spanish.

After taking some time to travel and study in France, a country to which she would return with her high school students many times, Cyndy began her 38 year teaching career at Denison Community High School. It was there that she met the dashing young teacher next door, Tom McGrane, and after stringing him along for a while, she accepted his charming marriage proposal: “If you shape up, I suppose we could get married.” They were married in an ecumenical ceremony at Bethel Lutheran Church in Kiron, Iowa. Their lives together were enhanced by the births of their children Emily and Seth. She was an incredibly devoted mother. Cyndy never missed a game or other event involving the two of them no matter how hot or cold the day or how tired she was. She was able to share her love of the French language and culture with them as their high school French teacher for four years.

Cyndy was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church for 45 years. She served in various roles as assisting minister, VBS teacher, lector, vocal soloist, altar guild member, church council member and church council president. In another facet of her life she enjoyed performing on stage or in pre-shows as a part of Midwestern Players.

When Cyndy retired from teaching, she found the time to enjoy her favorite hobbies which included reading, knitting, playing cards, watching tennis, caring for her rescue beagle, Chance, and watching and cheering for her St. Louis Cardinals. She took time to volunteer with the Crawford County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and served as a buyer for the gift shop. She also volunteered as an organizer for the Red Cross Blood Mobile. In retirement she continued teaching high school seniors how to knit so they could make caps for babies in a program titled Knit One, Save One. They later moved on to knitting winter scarves for soldiers stationed overseas. Partly because of her devotion to Denison High School and her volunteer activities, she was honored by having her name etched on the school’s Wall of Pride in 2016.

After 47 years of life in Denison, Tom and Cyndy moved to Waverly to be closer to family. Now she was able to further a role which she cherished: spending time with her three beautiful granddaughters. Another world was opened to her in Waverly as she was able to rekindle her love for choral music through joining the amazing St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Chancel Choir.

Cyndy had a terrific sense of humor and always enjoyed a good joke. She embraced her faith in her own quiet way and tried to be a good friend to those who cared for her. She passed away peacefully on August 26, 2024, due to complications from a massive stroke. She was loved and will be missed by her husband for 46 years, Tom; her children, Emily (Brian) Hale, and Seth (Katie) McGrane; her sweet granddaughters Ellie, Mollie and Emma McGrane; her step-grandsons Joseph and Thomas Hale; sisters- and brothers-in law: Barbara McGrane, Wilma McGrane, Jim and Tipp McGrane, Catherine and Bill Chihak, Dan and Betty McGrane, Mary and Steve Weiland; her aunt, Shirley Luebke; several special cousins from her Peterson/Luebke family; other relatives and friends; and many students she taught over her 38 year career.

Memorial service will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 1:30 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church & School in Waverly. A luncheon and visitation with the family will follow in the Parish Hall. Inurnment will be held at a later date in St. Patrick of St. Cecelia Cemetery rural Elma. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to either: Basset & Beagle Rescue of the Heartland Boystown, Friends of Denison Community Library or Friends of Waverly Public Library. Online condolences for Cyndy can be left at www.kaisercorson.com.

Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home of Waverly is assisting the McGrane family. 319-352-1187

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