Kathleen "Kathy" Mary Barltrop

Kathleen “Kathy” Mary Barltrop, 76, of Marion, Iowa, passed away after a lengthy illness, surrounded by her family on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Select Specialty Hospital in Davenport, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion with a vigil beginning at 3:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion. Private inurnment will be held at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Kathy was born on January 26, 1949, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Paul and Jane (Shannon) Nissen. She was a graduate of Regis High School and went on to earn her nursing certificate from Kirkwood Community College, formerly Area Ten. On June 10, 1978, Kathy was united in marriage to Steven Edward Barltrop at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion, where they were the first couple to get married there and Kathy was a lifelong member. To this union, two children were born: Aaron and Angela. She dedicated her life to nursing and retired from Mercy Medical Center in 2011 as an LPN. She loved spending time with her family, relishing moments filled with laughter and joy, particularly at family reunions and events. Kathy had a zest for life that was evident in her diverse interests and hobbies. She enjoyed bowling, traveling to new places, fishing in many local areas, especially Springville, followed by lunch at her favorite restaurant, Sally’s On Broadway, attending Iowa Hawkeye Women’s Basketball games, and was a big St. Louis Cardinals fan. Her love for music shone through, as she often could be heard singing or humming tunes, a cherished trait she inherited from her parents.

Kathy is survived and lovingly remembered by her husband of 47 years, Steven Barltrop; son, Aaron Barltrop; daughter, Angela Crandall; three grandchildren, Elle, Allison, Evelyn; two brothers, Mike (Lisa) Nissen and Tom (Sandra) Nissen.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, John Nissen; and sister, Patricia Warner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sisters of Mercy Americas, the Jewel and Jim Plumb Heart Center of Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids at mercyheartcenter.org or Hall-Perrine Cancer Center.