Ada Straight

Sept. 9, 2022

Ada “Ann” Straight, 93, the daughter of Eli Francisco and Blanche C. (Mathie) Rambo, was born May 27, 1929, in Webster City, Iowa. She graduated from Webster City High School and later attended Stephens College in Missouri.

Ann was united in marriage with Dr. Guy J. Mills in 1949 and the couple resided in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Webster City. The couple later divorced and Ann married Dr. Wayne Straight on June 26, 1964 and moved to Newton, Iowa. She was employed for many years as a preschool teacher at Lollipop Lane in Newton. Ann was a member of First United Methodist Church; she was an active member of PEO, the Questers Club, and PTA, and held many different offices. She enjoyed working outdoors, being with family and friends, cooking, antiquing, and reading.

Ann died on Friday, September 9, 2022, at her home at Park Centre in Newton. Memorial Funeral services for Ann will be Wednesday, September 21, at 2 p.m., at First United Methodist Church in Newton, with a visitation one hour prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Wesley Life Hospice, First United Methodist Church, or to a charity of your choosing and may be left at the church or at Pence Reese Funeral Home.

A livestream of the funeral service will be available through the Newton First United Methodist church website: newtonfirst.org.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Wayne Straight; parents, Eli Francisco and Blanche Rambo; sister, Jane Nichols; brother-in-law, Don Nichols; brother, David Rambo; son-in-law, Dr. James L. Skarda; and nephew, Tim Nichols.

Those left to honor Ann’s memory include her children and stepchildren: Jennifer Skarda of Iowa City, Julie (Lee) Gunderson of Algona, Joseph (Lee) Straight of Puyallup, WA., Janet Gillam of Cedar Falls, Guy (Sherri) Mills of Dallas, TX., Richard (Donna) Straight of Lincoln, NE, and Christine (Ron) Roling of Springfield, MO., 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; and her many extended family and friends.