IATAROLA, NANCY LUCRETIA (SEAR), age 56, of Porter, Indiana, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2015. A devoted wife, mother, daughter, and sister, Nancy was born October 15, 1958, and grew up in Alden, Iowa, and Sisseton, South Dakota. She was blessed with an extraordinary intellect, earning a bachelor's degree from Iowa State University and a Ph.D. from Indiana University, both in organic chemistry. Following post-doctoral work at UCLA, she moved back to Indiana, where she worked in pharmaceutical research for Eli Lilly. Her work on the cutting edge of research culminated in patents for the company, but also sparked an interest in patent law, motivating her to earn a law degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. Despite her many academic and professional achievements, Nancy's true purpose in life, and the one that gave her the greatest joy, was to be wife to her beloved Ralph and mother to her adored children Sam and Natalie. Family was everything to Nancy, never hesitating to visit her aging parents hundreds of miles away on a moment's notice whenever they fell ill or just needed a helping hand. Before returning home, she attended to her mother's every need and stocked the refrigerator with the Lebanese delicacies she loved to cook for her father. God took Nancy much too soon, but the love she gave to all who knew her will live on forever in our hearts.

Survived by husband Ralph, son Sam, daughter Natalie, parents Dr. John and Dorismae Sear of Ft. Dodge, Iowa, sister, Sandra (Sam) Belvedere, brothers Dr. James (Kathy), Michael, and John (Amber).

All services are private. A separate celebration of Nancy's life will be held in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on a date to be determined. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Rees Funeral Home, Olson Chapel, 5341 Central Avenue, Portage, IN. For more information, please call (219) 762-3013. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.