Kathleen S. Kropp

Kathleen Susan Kropp was born on March 14, 1987, in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, to Patrick and Kendell Kropp and passed away in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on July 29, 2025. She attended Limon Public Schools where she graduated as class Valedictorian in 2005.

Music was very much at the center of Kathleen’s life, and music provided many of her most profound connections with others. From a young age, she excelled at both the piano and the flute. Later, she would go on to teach herself to play the guitar. She was an active participant in the Limon High School band and choir programs and earned the high honor of all-state band member. While in Limon, she was a staple in the choir loft at the local Catholic church where she generously shared her talents with many appreciative parishioners.

An avid reader, Kathleen also loved both reading and writing. In high school, she thoroughly enjoyed her time participating on the speech team. Poetry was her favorite category in which she competed and placed at the state level her senior year. She especially enjoyed reading and sharing quotes by Mother Teresa.

Kathleen’s passion for music took her from Limon to Orange City, Iowa, where she obtained her undergraduate degree in Music Education. From there, Kathleen continued in her pursuit of music and using music as a tool for healing and returned to Colorado where she obtained a master’s degree in Music Therapy from Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

Spending time in the Colorado Mountains was a special part of Kathleen’s life. Rocky Mountain National Park and the YMCA of the Rockies in particular held precious memories for her. It was during a summer at the YMCA that she met and later married her former husband, Evan Marsh. To this union a son, Maxon Wayne, was born in 2019.

Professionally, she spent much of her career bringing cheer and joy to hospice patients, elderly, and disabled individuals through the gift of music. One particularly profound memory of hers was singing “Peace in the Valley” with a music therapy group during the COVID 19 crisis via zoom when they were unable to gather in person.

Kathleen was always ready for a jam session and greatly enjoyed the countless sessions she organized and shared with friends and family members over the years. She shared many of her musical tastes with her brother and enjoyed attending concerts together, creating mixtape CDs, and playing guitar together or listening to him play for her son.

Kathleen will also be remembered fondly for her crafting hobbies and thoughtful gifting. An abundant supply of glitter, glue, and yarn was always ready for her next creation. She learned to crochet and spent hours crafting an array of hats, blankets, scarves and other items for individuals close to her.

Kathleen is survived by her son, Maxon; her parents, Patrick and Kendell; her brother, Toby (Ana) as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Wayne and Jane Parton; and paternal grandparents, Daryl and Rita Kropp.

Kathleen will be fondly remembered for her creative talents, kindness and grace towards all individuals, and her love and devotion to her son.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Limon Education Foundation (Music Department) at PO Box 297 Limon, CO 80828 or to NAMI Iowa (namiiowa.org).