Katherine Marie Cooley

Katherine Marie Cooley, 72, of Waterloo, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family at her home on Monday, September 1, 2025.

Kathy Cooley, born Katherine Marie Burke on November 11, 1952, to parents, Richard and Geraldine (Huber) in Cresco, Iowa. She spent her youth in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, moving to Waterloo in the eighth grade. Kathy graduated from Columbus High school in 1970 and attended UNI and Schoitz Radiology Tech school. In 1972, Kathy married Edward Earl Cooley in Waterloo. Together they had four children-Mark, Scott, Kristen, and Sarah. Ed passed away in 1995.

Kathy’s interest and passion her whole life has been her children, grandchildren, and serving others. When her children were young, she served as PTA board member, Room mother, Cub Scout Den leader, Girl Scout Brownie leader, Sunday School teacher, Church Youth Group leader, and Church Education Board member. Kathy was active in her church community at First United Methodist Church, her P.E.O. organization chapter FE-JP, two book clubs, and numerous volunteering opportunities such as Habitat for Humanity, food banks, and Meals on Wheels. She loved being outdoors and socializing with family and friends. Her many interests included walking, biking, kayaking, country dancing and traveling.

She is also preceded in death by her parents, brother, James Burke, sister, Judy Rieck, nephews, Austin and Adam Burke, niece, Jennifer Burke Kositzky, mother and father-in-law, Earl and Helen Cooley, and brother-in-law, Robert Cooley.

Kathy is survived by her children, Mark (Dana) Cooley of St. Louis, MO, Scott (Kristi) Cooley of Waterloo, Kristen (Chad) Drury of St. Augustine, FL, and Sarah (Paul) Langendorf of St. Louis, MO; 8 grandchildren, Ethan, Jackson, Nohle, Sophia, Samuel, Grace, Henry, and Will; brothers, Tom (Kelly) Burke and Greg Burke; brother-in-law, Bob Rieck; sisters-in-law, Sue Burke, Pam Cooley DeBlois, Karen (Rick) Cooley Boller, and Diane Cooley; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave, Waterloo.

Memorial Service: 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at First United Methodist Church-Waterloo, 614 Randolph St, Waterloo.

Memorial Contributions may be directed to the family.

Locke at Tower Park is serving the family. Please visit lockefuneralservices.com to offer your condolences.