Address
Locke on 4th
1519 W 4th St.
Waterloo, IA 50702
Pamela J. Whitmore was born on August 29, 1943, at the Virginia Gay Hospital in Vinton, Iowa to C.G. “Jerry” and Iola (McNamee) Whitmore. Pam attended kindergarten – 12th grade at Dysart Consolidated School and graduated from there in May of 1961.When she was twelve, she was baptized, confirmed, and joined the Dysart Methodist Church. She attended Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa, from 1961-1965, graduating from there in May of 1965 with a BA in Elementary Education and a minor in French. She earned her MA in Early Childhood Education from Inter-American University of San Juan, Puerto Rico, while on the military base, Roosevelt Roads, PR. In 1990, she married LCDR (Lieutenant Commander) Fred Koch, Retired, whom she met in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
She began her career by teaching in Beloit, Wisconsin, for five years before going overseas to work with the Department of Defense Overseas School System. She taught for six years on Roosevelt Road Naval Base in Puerto Rico, four years on the Army base in Seoul, Korea, four years on the NATO base in Keflavik, Iceland, ten years on the Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and six years on Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa. Pam retired in 2000 after teaching kindergarten for thirty-five years, thirty of them overseas, and she and her husband moved to a home south of Waterloo in an area named Hickory Hollow. Her experience interacting with children and parents of other cultures and living abroad, as well as her knowledge of working with children, led her to start a new career in the Education Department at Upper Iowa, Fayette, teaching diversity, grammar for teachers, and teacher education classes, and supervising student teachers and field experience students. Although she retired from teaching there officially in 2005, she continued to supervise student teachers and field experience students for UIU with the various centers throughout Iowa through 2009.
After retirement the second time, Pam compiled a book for the Dysart Historical Society: Dysart’s Orphan Train Children, about her grandmother McNamee, who came to Iowa in 1893 on an Orphan Train from New York City with the Children’s Aide Society. This began her writing career, and she compiled a total of sixteen books about family members by the time she was finished. She also enjoyed cooking and canning, traveling, attending get-togethers, playing pinochle, and riding around in her Gator or golf cart.
Pam was diagnosed with MDS in 2007, and by 2011, it had progressed into Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She received a stem cell transplant in September of 2011 and enjoyed many more years of life until it reoccurred in 2023 and then again in 2025.
Pam was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Judy Summers, and a stillborn brother. She is survived by her husband, Fred Koch of Buckingham; one nephew, Alan Summers (Cindi) of Bondurant; three nieces; Jane Summers of Indianola, Kimberly Landon (Paul) of Williamsburg, and Nancy Baldus (Tony) of Ankeny; five great-nephews and one great-niece; two great-great nieces and one great-great nephew; two sisters-in-law, Sondra Ikey and Paula Sue Koch of St. Clairsville, Ohio, and a brother-in-law, Sam Koch (Kitty) of Barnesville, Ohio plus three nephews and a niece as well as four great-nieces and four great-nephews and one great-great nephew on that side of the family. She also has many cousins.
Pam touched many lives in her years on earth, including over 2500 five-year-olds and 500 college students whom she taught, including many Upper Iowa wrestlers and future teachers.
She will be missed by her many relatives and hundreds of friends and former students around the world.
Pam’s family would like to express their gratitude for the exceptional and compassionate care given by Cedar Valley Hospice and MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center.
A Celebration of Pam’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave. Waterloo, Iowa 50701, with visitation from 10-11 a.m. Interment will be held in the Dysart Cemetery. In honor of Pam and her love for UIU, she requests that everyone come in Peacock Blue.
Memorials may be directed to: Leukemia and Lymphoma Association, Peacock Pantry at UIU and Dysart Ambulance.
Locke at Tower Park is in charge of arrangements 319-233-3146. Online condolences may be left at www.lockefuneralservices.com.
Visitation
May 2, 2026
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Locke at Tower Park
4140 Kimball Ave., Waterloo, IA
Celebration of Life
May 2, 2026
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Locke at Tower Park
4140 Kimball Ave., Waterloo, IA
Fred and all of Pam’s family, my sincere condolences to you. Although I have been in Texas for many years, Pam was so good about keeping all of our classmates updated and did so much for our class reunions. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Pam was a very special lady. Got the privilege of meeting her when our brother Roger started dating & married her sister Judy. We shared 3 nieces & 1 nephew, and later their children. Also, got to share 7 years as next-door neighbors to her & Fred in Hickory Hollow. Special Memories. Praying for all her family.
Pam was a lifelong friend & I will miss her. May God bless her soul & love her as we did.
So sorry to hear about Aunt Pam. Didn’t realize she had MDS too. Bless her heart and Fred for all the struggles she endured. What a bright soul she is.
Fred and extended family – sending my love and prayers for peace. Pam was the ultimate connector in the Peacock family. The moment I met her I felt like I had known her for a lifetime. Her spirit lives on.
Fred
From all your friends in the Naval Aviation community, our thoughts and prayers are with you. We will remember all the good memories made with Pam and you.
So very sorry to learn we lost this classmate. Pam was a mover and shaker and her life accomplishments number many! Our sincere condolences to Fred. Sending loving thoughts and prayers. Richard and Kaylene Balleau
Fred, I was so sad to open Facebook and learn of Pam’s passing! It seems like I knew her forever, and it was fun to keep up with her once in awhile through Facebook! My deepest sympathies to you and her family! Connie
So sorry to hear of Pam’s passing. We have so many memories of all the fun we had when she came to Cedar Rapids.
Fred are thoughts are with you. Pam was an amazing woman and glad I could call her a friend. I will not be able to be there on Saturday as I will ne in Minnesota with family but wanted you to know I’m thinking of you.
Sending our hugs and condolences to your Fred and Pam’s family. Pam was always a hit and full of energy at Jordan’s wrestling meets! So welcoming, kind and was sure a hoot to have cheering all the boys on!! Also supported us on our RAGBRAI trip and even had refreshments ready for us on the ride through. Her smile was amazing! We’ll miss her!! Our thoughts and prayers are being sent.
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. I loved being in Pam’s classes at UIU—she brought such beautiful energy into every space and was always so kind. We stayed connected over the years, and she continued to be a true blessing in my life.
My heartfelt condolences to Pam’s family. I’m praying you feel wrapped in peace, comfort, and love during this difficult time.
Fred, Bob and I were so sorry to hear about Pam. She was the glue that held our class together. We will miss her enthusiasm and sweet smile. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Fred, we will miss Pam but know she couldn’t have had a better husband, friend, and partner than you were. Your encouragement and calm demeanor gave her many extended years to her life. May your memories of her sustain you in this time of grief.
My heart is saddened by the loss of Pam. Pam and Fred rolled into my restaurant several years ago and they became 2 of my favorite customers. I am praying for the entire family. She was a very special lady and will be missed greatly!