Obituary of Doris Alice Cronin

Doris A. Cronin, 97, of Newton, Iowa, passed away peacefully. She was born on January 10, 1928, near Elliott, Iowa, to Justin and Janice (Rawlings) Johnson. A graduate of Elliott High School, Class of 1944, she later attended AIB in Des Moines. On January 10, 1948, she married Thomas Harold Cronin in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Doris worked at the Vernon Company and Newton Manufacturing Company and was a devoted member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and a charter member of the Lady Elks Lodge #1270. She loved dancing, playing cards, reading, shopping, and spending time outdoors. Above all, her greatest joy was her family, cherishing birthday celebrations, holiday gatherings, and her grandchildren’s activities. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Those who are left to cherish Doris’s memory are her daughter Pat Thiel of Ankeny, IA; her sons Steven T. (Kay) Cronin of Franklin, TN and Mike (Sue) Cronin of Riverside, IA; former daughter-in-law Kathy Cronin of TN; former son-in-law Dave Little of Newton, IA; her seven grandchildren: Jason (Jane), Justin, Katie (Rob), Kerry, Patrick (Rachel), Alyssa (Tony), and Carly (Aaron); and her ten great-grandchildren: Jamie, Bailey, Miles, Malcom, Hazel, Edmund, Rowan, Reese, June, and Ellie.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Thomas Cronin; her daughter Sally Little; son-in-law Greg Thiel; and her granddaughter Lisa Warden.

There will be a graveside service for Doris at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Newton Union Cemetery in Newton, Iowa. A visitation with the family will be held at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday prior to the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to UnityPoint Hospice in Doris’s honor.