Kathleen O'Malley Sopher

Kathy passed away peacefully Tuesday April 11th surrounded by her four children. It was the perfect farewell to a beautiful life.  

Kathy was born in Des Moines, Iowa to George and Grace O’Malley. She attended Holy Trinity, Our Lady of Angels boarding school and finally, St. Joseph’s Academy from which she graduated May of 1967. In 1979 she attended Vocational Rehabilitation School and went on to work as a nurse’s aide at Iowa Lutheran Hospital. From 1991 to 1994 she worked at St. Joseph’s Catholic School for the after-school program. She also spent many years as a homemaker.

Kathy loved gardening and continued having a collection of plants throughout her life. She seemed to be able to nurse any lifeless plant back to health, which is a skill many coveted. She had an equal love of animals and after having many pets throughout her life, had recently said goodbye to her remaining dog.

Kathy loved spending time with family and friends, and had recently attended an O’Malley Family Reunion. She was exceedingly proud of her Irish heritage and her giant family. She looked forward to any event big or small because it gave her joy to see her loved ones. She also loved spending time with her children and the true loves of her life, her three grandsons.

Kathy had a gentle spirit and very kind heart. She was a deeply faithful woman and held steady to that faith throughout her life. It certainly carried her when she was not strong enough to carry herself. She fought like a warrior and would not accept that she could not do something. She had many challenges throughout her life and managed to face them and conquer them to the amazement of anyone who knew her. She was truly an inspiration in courage, grace, faith, resilience, and resolve.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, George and Grace, brothers, Pat, John, and Clifford, and sister, Jean.

Kathy is survived by her daughters, Annette Vogel and Teresa (Jamie) Finken, sons, Ken (Brittany) Balduchi and Gene Sopher, Jr., grandsons, Gunner, Landon, and Mason, brothers, Bernard, Mike, Richard, Dennis, Brian, and Joe, and the O’Malley-Johnson families.

Her absence is visceral for us that remain, but she is free and left this life the way that we prayed for. Now is a season for sadness, but please give gratitude and say farewell with a glad heart. Her life was truly blessed and we are eternally blessed that she was ours. She leaves behind quite the legacy.

Donations in Kathleen's memory may be directed to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3300 Easton Blvd., Des Moines, Iowa 50317.