Kathy Jo Boudewyns

Kathy Boudewyns

March 8, 1952 to April 29, 2026

Kathy Boudewyns, 74, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on April 29, 2026, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.Kathy was born on March 8, 1952, in Alaska. She graduated from Garrigan High School in Algona, Iowa, in 1970 and went on to attend St. Mary’s College in Omaha, Nebraska, where she earned her nursing degree in 1974.

Kathy was a devoted mother, a compassionate nurse, and a woman of deep faith. She is survived by her two sons, Jacob and Matthew (Corrie); her granddaughter, Lillian; her mother, Josephine Johnson of Clive, Iowa; her sister, Julie French (Mike) of Nisswa, Minnesota; and her brother, Rod Johnson (Anita) of Laurens, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her father, Walter Johnson.

Kathy dedicated approximately 30 years of her life to caring for others as a nurse at Broadlawns Medical Center. She began her career in OB-GYN and, in her later years, provided cancer treatments, offering comfort and care to countless patients and families. Her work reflected her natural compassion and commitment to helping others.

Kathy was also a dedicated member of the National T.T.T. Society, a nonprofit organization that helps young girls attend summer camp who might not otherwise have the opportunity.

Outside of her profession, Kathy found joy in life’s simple and meaningful moments. She loved going to estate sales, spending time with friends over coffee, and expressing her creativity in the kitchen. She was especially known for her baking, with her cookies, cakes, and apple crisp cherished by family and friends. She also enjoyed cooking home-cooked meals and was always eager to try new recipes.

In her younger years, Kathy enjoyed crafting baskets and had a strong passion for sewing.

Kathy’s faith was an important part of her life. She believed deeply in God and Jesus, and she passed peacefully with her grandmother’s Bible by her side.

A visitation and celebration of life will be held on May 24, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Yellow Banks Park, Prairie View Shelter 1, in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. Family and friends are invited to gather, share memories, and celebrate her life. In honor of Kathy’s love for baking and cooking, guests are encouraged to bring a favorite homemade dish to share.

Kathy will be remembered for her kindness, her nurturing spirit, her creativity, and the love she gave so freely to those around her. She will be deeply missed.