Janet Elaine (Edwards) McLaughlin

Janet Elaine (Edwards) McLaughlin, 73, of Perry, Georgia, formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on March 22, 2026. A visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids. A funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the funeral home website tribute page for Janet under “videos,” starting at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2026

Janet was born on October 18, 1952, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to the late Ralph and Inez Edwards. She graduated from Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School, Class of 1971. On April 20, 1979, she married the love of her life, Alan Gordon McLaughlin, at First Church of the Open Bible, beginning a devoted marriage that spanned nearly 47 years.

Janet was a woman of deep faith who loved Jesus. As a young girl, her Aunt Lois faithfully took her to church and ultimately led her to the Lord, a decision that shaped the course of her life and legacy.

She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother whose greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her husband, Alan McLaughlin; her children, Erin (Chris) Foster of Marion, Iowa; Justin (Silvana) McLaughlin of Perry, Georgia; Nathan (Cristina) McLaughlin of Alexandria, Virginia; and Jordan (Kit) Thomas of Memphis, Tennessee. She was a proud grandmother to Bethany Foster, Connor (Nyah) McLaughlin, Gabrielle Foster, Haley McLaughlin, Tyler McLaughlin, Caleb McLaughlin, and Benjamin McLaughlin.

Janet had a special love for children, which she expressed through running a daycare in her home during the 1980s and early 1990s. Later, she worked alongside her family delivering newspapers for the Cedar Rapids Gazette and served as a cashier at Roosevelt Middle School, Monroe and Erskine Elementary cafeterias, as well as at Hy-Vee. In every role, she was known for her kindness, work ethic, and genuine care for others.

She found joy in life’s simple pleasures. Janet loved watching her favorite television shows, including Hallmark movies, and classic game shows like The Price Is Right, Jeopardy!, and Wheel of Fortune. She especially loved Christmas: the decorating, wrapping gifts, enjoying lights, and baking her famous sugar cookies for those she loved. She was deeply patriotic and also enjoyed using and sharing essential oils.

Janet will be remembered for her warm heart, her unwavering love for her family, and her faith in Christ. Her legacy lives on in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and all who knew and loved her.