Ann Doll

Ann Doll, 66, of Bettendorf, passed away Sunday, December 22, 2024 at MercyOne-Genesis of Davenport following a strong and brave battle with cancer. A visitation will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 3, 2025 at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home followed by a funeral service at 4:00 p.m. The service will be livestreamed by scrolling down to the bottom of this page. Keeping with Ann’s wishes, cremation rites have been accorded. Memorials may be made to an education fund for her Babygrands: Graham, Beau and Cash.

Ann Mary Ragatz was born on December 31, 1957 in Bettendorf, a daughter of Joseph and Madeline (Grimes) Ragatz. She was raised in Dubuque, Iowa and graduated from Wahlert High School. She was united in marriage to Peter J. Doll on November 20, 1982 at St. John’s Catholic Church, Peosta, Iowa. They have shared 42 years of marriage and have countless more memories together. 

Ann had many jobs throughout her working years. Some of the most special being a member of the staff at Lourdes Catholic School, Assumption High School and St. Ambrose University through which she was able to provide Madeline with a Catholic education. At St. Ambrose, Ann, worked as the Office Manager for the Physical Plant. In this role she became a well-known and respected person on campus. She was so proud to represent St. Ambrose and to work with “the guys” for over 15 years. The many positive relationships she made with the campus community and other community members will be remembered and cherished. 

Ann loved a designer handbag and a good pair of shoes. You could often find her in the handbag, shoe, or jewelry department at VonMaur. Shopping was an important past-time for Ann and Madeline through the years followed by lunch or dinner at the local Mexican restaurant where she became fast friends with the owners. If you complimented Ann on something she was wearing or carrying, you would almost be guaranteed to be going home with it that night or have one sent to you the next week. 

Weekend coffee at Brunson and Madeline’s house was the norm. She and Brunson spent lots of time sharing a pot of hot, black coffee while chit chatting about anything and everything. Their relationship was special from the very beginning as Ann called Brunson her best son ever.

Ann and Pete grew to enjoy a good beverage and were often found at the Front Street Tap Room at the Freight House. On many beautiful Saturday afternoons, the two of them shared conversations and laughs with anyone who sat near. They developed some of the most important and wonderful friendships with this crew. We are so grateful for Adrienne Pichotti, Ann’s best friend, who loved and cared for her through her cancer battle and helped usher her into her new Heavenly home. 

Of all the things Ann loved; her 3 grandbabies were the most important. Eight years ago, Ann became “Boppy.” She spent hours in the delivery room with Madeline and Brunson waiting for her three babygrands to enter our world. From those moments on, Ann was the most devoted, engaged, and adoring Boppy. She loved her boys unconditionally. They were her world. The boys enjoyed many shopping trips with Boppy and could always count on getting anything they wanted. A Boppy sleepover was a commonly requested event where there were no rules and no bedtime; just a whole lot of fun, laughs and love. Most importantly, Graham, Beau, and Cash knew that Boppy loved them the most; they are her sun, moon, and stars. 

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Pete; her darling daughter and best son-in-law ever, Madeline and Brunson Grothus, her “3 best boys” grandsons: Graham, Beau, and Cash; her siblings: Joan (Ernie) Lenz, Texas, Therese (Tom) Kean, Dubuque, Mary Jo (Steve) Franklin, Urbandale, and Joe “Mel” (Heidi) Ragatz, Wilton; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Paula (Peter) Doll-Wildenberg, Wisconsin, Janet (Rick) Brimeyer, Ames, Pam (Chris) Theisen, Dubuque, and Tom (Mary Dodds) Doll, Minnesota; special nieces, Genevieve, Tanya, and Rachel, many other nieces and nephews, and a host of other extended family and special friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant sister at birth, father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bob and Pat Doll, a best friend and brother-in-law, Phil Doll, a sister-in-law, Barb Stelmasik, and Brunson’s mom, Judy Grothus, who shared the most cherished role of Grandma to Graham, Beau and Cash. May they rest in peace.

These words can only capture so much of who Ann was and who she will continue to be. Her personality was magnetic. She drew people in, made them feel safe and seen. She valued everyone who she came in contact with and made sure that people felt her love. Ann was top notch, high-class and a warrior. She will be so dearly missed. We will look for the signs and feel her presence with us because she promised she wouldn't go far. 

Pete, Madeline and Brunson would like to thank Dr. Mario Sy and his staff, Dr. Mikka Appel, and the many other doctors, nurses and medical staff we encountered. Their care and compassion was so appreciated. A special thank you to Meghan Grothus, who answered phone calls and questions at any time and was always honest to meet Ann’s needs. Thank you to Ann’s brother Joe “Mel” who made sure Ann was never alone while in the hospital and who built the perfect cremation box for Ann’s remains. 

As Ann would encourage, eat cake for breakfast. 

Lalalalove you, Boppy. Always and Forever. XOXO