Kathleen Ann Kriegler

Kathleen Ann Kriegler of Ames, Iowa died on December 3, 2016 at Mary Greeley Medical Center, Oncology Unit after a nearly two year fight with ovarian cancer. A Celebration of Life visitation and reception will be held at Stevens Memorial Chapel, 607 28th Street Ames, Iowa on Saturday, December 17 from 10:00 AM to noon with a story sharing program at 11:00. The body has been cremated and will be interred at a later date.

Kathy was born July 16, 1955 in Omaha, Nebraska and was adopted on December 21, 1956 by Peter Paul and Bernice Matilda (Smidt) Kriegler. She grew up in South Omaha, Nebraska, moved with her parents to Willow Park, Illinois, and then moved to and graduated from Grand Island, Nebraska in 1973.

She received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University Of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1976. She received her Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Nebraska, Omaha.

Kathy taught music at Archbishop Ryan High School in Omaha, and as an Education Tech in the census division of Omaha Public Schools.  Kathy worked as a therapist in Eppley Treatment Center at Methodist Hospital in Omaha and then became the Program Coordinator of Counseling & Student Development at University of Nebraska Medical Center. 

She moved to Iowa in 2004 where she worked for UnityPoint Health in Des Moines, the Richmond Center in Ames, Iowa and then became a sole practitioner with Fifth Street Mental Health Professionals in Ames where she worked until she was forced to retire because of her illness in the fall of 2016. 

In 1993, Kathy had her son, Jordan Paul Kriegler thanks to the miracle of in-vitro fertilization. No greater pride and love was there for a child.  She fiercely defended and protected him, gently taught him, and effectively raised him to be the fine young man he is today.

In the spring of 2004, she moved to Ames, Iowa to begin her life with Norma J Dowell, daughter of Simeon Gordon and Eva Olene (Cain) Dowell.  Kathy and Norma married on May 23, 2009. Their home was filled with laughter, love and a lot of remodeling. The couple used their skills in construction and life to build a home for which they took great pride.

Kathy was an accomplished euphonium player in her youth, gaining superior ratings at state contests and participating in the Nebraska High School Honor Band, the Kearney State College High School Music Clinic, Tri-City Area Youth Symphony Orchestra, and All-State. She received a scholarship to attend the University of Nebraska from the Central Nebraska Musician's Association, and also participated in the Nebraska Intercollegiate Band Festival. Upon moving to Ames, she became a member of the Ames Municipal Band, played in small ensembles, and participated in Tuba Christmas. Kathy was a member of the University of Nebraska Chapter of the Alpha Lambda Delta honorary scholastic fraternity for freshman women.

Kathy was a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with certificates in Counseling Psychology and Therapeutic Counseling from the Nebraska Society of Adlerian Psychology. She was certified with the Iowa Board of Behavioral Health and the National Board of Certified Counselors, a Master Addition Counselor certified with the National Board of Certified Counselors, and a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator.

Kathy was proceeded in death by her adopted parents, her brother Paul Kriegler, and her biological parents, Grace (Luna) Rodriguez, and Edward Frank Schaeffer. Left to cherish her memory is her wife, Norma Jean Dowell, her son Jordan Paul Kriegler, her sisters, Dee (Craig) Demuth of Union, Maine, Chris Pedigo (Dan) Brown of Flagstaff, Arizona, Loretta Bennett of Stockton, California, Irene Schaeffer of Phoenix, Arizona, Carol Schaeffer of Prescott, Arizona, Louise Schaeffer of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Brenda Schaeffer of Flagstaff Arizona, her brothers, Frank Schaeffer and Jim Schaeffer of Phoenix, Arizona, and a host of in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

She will be remembered by her stubborn love and defense of family, a loving soul with a quick wit and a mischievous twinkle in her eye, and a resilient woman who fought valiantly against an aggressive cancer. She was fortunate to meet her biological siblings before her death and developed strong bonds with them that will endure for years to come.

Memorials may be sent to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, if you prefer to send flowers, the family asks that you please avoid Lilies, thank you.

Thoughtful memories and condolences may be shared on Kathleen's page at www.stevensmemorialchapel.com