Obituary for Kathleen "Kathy" Louise Koenig

Kathleen “Kathy” Louise Koenig (née Kazynski), age 74, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 18, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Kathy was born on June 21, 1952, in Lancaster, Wisconsin, to John and Annabel Kazynski, and was proud of her Polish and Irish heritage. In 1960, the family moved to Ossian, Iowa, where Kathy grew up as the oldest of nine children. From an early age she helped raise her younger siblings, delivered newspapers, and spent long summer evenings playing softball with the neighborhood kids. She had fond memories of community movie nights, projected on the side of the Kazynski house for the whole neighborhood to enjoy.

Kathy attended Ossian DeSales and South Winneshiek High Schools, where she excelled at speech, theatre, student government and cheerleading and was crowned Homecoming Queen. She went on to graduate from the Paris Cosmetology Academy in Cedar Rapids.

In 1971, Kathy met the love of her life, Robert “Bob” Koenig, at the Inwood Ballroom in Spillville. They married in 1972 and made their home in Cedar Rapids, where they raised three children: Nicole, Melanie, and Ryan. After the birth of Nicole, Kathy became a full-time stay-at-home mom — a role she often said was the most important job she would ever have. She was a leader in PTA at Kennedy High School and rarely missed a game, meet, or recital.  She was her children’s biggest cheerleader.

Kathy was first diagnosed with cancer in 1988. During the following 24 years, she endured over 20 surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation treatments, fighting with a strength that defined her. Her motivation was simple: she wanted to see her kids grow up. Not only did she achieve that goal, she went on to receive 14 “bonus years” of life — years that allowed her to watch her grandchildren grow up as well, which she described as “the icing on the cake of life.” She was a fighter, and the toughest person anyone who knew her had ever met.

Kathy was the proud grandmother of nine grandchildren, who were the absolute joy of her life: Bryson, Kellen, and Natalie (children of Nicole and David); John, Grace, Sam, and Elizabeth (children of Melanie and Nathan); and Ava and Kaitlyn (children of Ryan and Lindsay).  She was proud beyond words of each of their accomplishments.  She cherished every visit and celebration, and especially loved baking with her grandchildren — her monster cookies and Christmas toffee were legendary. 

Kathy lived a rich and generous life outside her role as wife, mother, and grandmother. She served as President of her PEO chapter and was a longtime, devoted member of First Lutheran Church for 54 years, where she was involved in Sunday School, Spiritual Direction, SEMP, and the Building Committee. An accomplished golfer, she was crowned Elmcrest Country Club’s Women’s Senior Champion in 2002. She and Bob also enjoyed a condo and many outings with friends at Eagle Ridge in Galena.

She loved her card club and dinner group, and treasured the friendships built over decades with the women in her life. She and Bob traveled extensively throughout the United States and Europe, including a Mediterranean cruise to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.

Kathy was a gifted and creative spirit — she designed custom floral arrangements, created fused glass artwork, and kept beautiful flowers and vegetable gardens. She had a quiet habit of sending personalized, caring cards to friends and acquaintances who were hurting, always finding a way to brighten someone else’s day.

Those who knew Kathy remembered her as affectionate, nurturing, uplifting, resilient, passionate, bright, colorful, and creative. She met every challenge life gave her with grace and determination, and she poured that same spirit into everyone she loved.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Bob, of Cedar Rapids; her children, Nicole (David) Unkrich, Melanie (Nathan) Hessler, and Ryan (Lindsay); her nine grandchildren; her brothers, Mike, David, Gary, Greg, Joe, and Tim; her sisters, Laurie Thompson and Mary Wille; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Annabel Kazynski; her father and mother-in-law, Loren and Ruby Koenig; her brother-in-law, Les Thompson; and her sister-in-law, Cris Kazynski.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 25 at First Lutheran Church, 1000 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA.  Visitation will begin at 9:00am. Services will follow the visitation and begin at 10:30am. After the service, a reception will be held in the Fellowship Center. To honor Kathy’s vibrant and colorful spirit, please wear bright colors!

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you give a memorial in her honor to First Lutheran Church.

“To know her was to love her.”
-Samuel Rogers