Kathleen Anne Stein

Kathleen Anne Stein, lovingly known as Kathy to her friends and family, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2025, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at the age of 68. Born on April 3, 1957, in Amityville, New York, to Douglas Sr. and Deloris Palmer Bradley. At the age of 12, her family relocated to Seaford, New York, where she later graduated from Seaford High School in 1976.
Kathy's spirit of adventure and service led her to join the United States Army after high school. She spent three years of her four-year enlistment stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany, where she served as a mechanic and embraced the culture by learning to speak German. Her time in the military was a testament to her strength and dedication, qualities that she carried throughout her life.
Following her service, Kathy pursued higher education at Palm Beach Community College, where she indulged her love for science and music. She majored in music, a passion that brought joy to her and those around her and minored in science. Kathy's voice found a home in musical performances, a hobby she cherished deeply.
Kathy's professional life was marked by her commitment to helping others, as evidenced by her work as a phlebotomist and lab technician at Bethesda and later at the Washington County Hospital. Her expertise and care in the medical field were invaluable to both her colleagues and patients.
In 1992, Kathy moved to Iowa, a place that would become a significant part of her life. After a brief return to Florida, she came back to Iowa in 1998, settling in Oskaloosa. It was there that she found love with Darrin Stein, and the two were married on April 21, 2006, in a ceremony that celebrated their union and the blending of their families.
Kathy's talents extended beyond her professional and musical endeavors. She was a self-taught classic guitar player, an avid swimmer who competed in her youth, and a lover of the arts. Her children cherished the moments she sang to them, and her love for picnics, dining out, playing games on her phone, watching classic TV shows on TMC, taking scenic car rides, and traveling painted the picture of a life rich with simple pleasures.
She leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories. Her husband, Darrin, remains in Washington, along with her three daughters, Jenny Branch (Zaki Benabou) of Fremont, Kelly Reeves of Washington, and Elizabeth Stein of Washington. Kathy is also survived by her brother, Douglas Bradley Jr. (Kathy) of Boynton Beach, FL; her sister, Kim Banner of North Carolina; her stepson, J.D. Schimmelpfenig (Abbey) of Keota; and five grandchildren who will miss her deeply. She was preceded in death by her parents.
Kathy's life will be celebrated on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at the KC Hall in Harper from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, where family and friends will gather to honor her memory and the impact she had on their lives. Gifts to a memorial to be designated later by the family may be brought to the celebration of life or mailed to the family at 732 East 3rd Street, Washington, IA 52353.
Friends and loved ones may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com