John Vincent Rawlings 1937 - 2024
RAWLINGS, FREELAND, HANSON
Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 11/17/2024 at 05:39:27
The Onawa Democrat
14 November 2024John Vincent Rawlings passed away peacefully on October 29th, 2024.
John was born on October 16th, 1937 to Ray Rawlings and Mary Freeland. He grew up and graduated high school in 1955 in Onawa, Iowa. John attended the University of South Dakota where he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in 1959 and 1966, respectively, and was a letter winner on the Coyotye’s tennis team. John was also in the U.S. Army Reserves.
John spent over 30 years as an educator beginning as a high school teacher in Vermillion, South Dakota from 1961-1966. He then served as a high school principal for the Lawton-Bronson, Vinton, and Harlan school districts between 1966 and 1991 and as an educational consultant with the Northern Trails Education Association from 1991 to 2000.
During this time John and his wife, Carolyn, lived outside of Garner, Iowa where they launched Rabbit Hollow Gardens & Gifts until 2004. John enjoyed listening to jazz recordings, feeding and watching birds, flower gardening, and reading mystery novels.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Rawlings (Hanson) and his brother-in-law, Dennis Hanson, and survived by his brothers-in-law, Dave and Larry Hanson. He is also survived by his three adult daughters, Michelle, Deborah, and Jennifer and their families and his wife’s adult children, Nikki and Eric.
Per John's wishes, no public services will be held at this time.
If you’d like to leave a donation in John’s honor, the family suggests donations be sent to: Lake Mills Community Gardens: 200 N. 1st Ave W. Lake Mills, IA 50450, or to the Lake Mills Care Center: 406 S. 10th Avenue East Lake Mills, IA 50450.
Schott Funeral Homes – Mittelstadt Chapel in Lake Mills, IA is assisting the family.
Monona Obituaries maintained by Linda Ziemann.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen