Myra R. Boots, 95, of Waterloo, passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at Mercy One Medical Center-Waterloo. She was born on October 15, 1928, to Clarence and Ellen (Jensen) Stewart in Berwyn, IL. Myra married John L. Davis in LaGrange, IL on October 21, 1950, and he preceded her in death in 1960. In 1966, she married Ray M. Boots, and he preceded her in death in 2020.

In 1950, Myra graduated with her bachelor’s degree in speech from Grinnell College and went on to obtain her master’s degree from the University of Northern Iowa. Myra worked for UNI for more than 30 years as an assistant professor of communicative disorders. During her time at UNI, she served in various administrative roles and was active in many university bodies. Giving back and volunteering was a true passion of Myra’s-serving on the Sartori Health Care Foundation board since 1997, being a life member of the Sartori Auxiliary and Friends of Sartori Memorial Hospital. Myra spent time mentoring students at Cedar Falls High School and participated in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. In 2014, Myra was awarded the Service to Mankind Award by Cedar Valley Sertoma Club.

She is also preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Dr. Janaan S. Diemer.

Myra is survived by her sons, John Scott (Doreen) Davis of Tigard, OR, Robert Boots of Waterloo, and John (Shelley) Boots of Tustin, CA; daughter, Linda Spoon of Wellsville, PA; son-in-law, Daniel (Diana) Diemer of Las Cruces, NM; 8 grandchildren, Rebecca, Miriam, Taylor, Tyler, Amanda, Timothy, and Olivia; and 8 great grandchildren, Vincent, Gabriel, Riley, Owen, Marlaina, Macklynn, Michael, and Millie-Ann.

The Boots family will be hosting a celebration of life at NewAldaya Lifescapes on July 27, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the UNI Foundation or NewAldaya Lifescapes.