Kathy Falk

Kathryn Mavis Annette (Iverson) Falk, age 88, of St. Ansgar, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 20, 2025, surrounded by family. She was born on October 26, 1936, to Avis (Zeigler) and Kermit Iverson in Ruthven, Iowa. Katie enjoyed getting into mischief with her older brother Phil and shepherding her younger siblings, Judy, Mary Ann, Bruce, Betty and Pete.

She attended school in Ruthven, participating in yearbook, FHA, and basketball, where she was once referred to as “the pert little Kathryn …” for her tenacious court presence. After high school, she pursued a teaching degree at Waldorf and Iowa State Teachers College, before following her adventurous spirit to South Dakota University, where she graduated with a master’s degree in Geology. Holding her own in a male dominated field, she traveled to the Rocky Mountains for research, with a rattlesnake tail as one of her mementos. She taught science in Northwest Iowa for many years. During that time, Kathy and her friends ran into a group of misfit males from St. Ansgar at the “singles club” at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. Over the course of a few weeks, she formed a relationship with David Falk, who apparently needed a geologist for the quarries.

Kathy and Dave married in 1970, and got off to a tumultuous honeymoon in Norway, where “die frau mit der pelz” was stranded after their train cars were detached during the night. They decided to start making “better plans,” and their marriage lasted 55 years. In 1972, they welcomed their first child, Andrea Kae, followed by Lindsey Richard in 1974. Kathy was wildly protective of her children, as any referee and umpire in North Iowa from the mid-80s to early 90s will attest to. She loved to host parties, from Halloween bashes, to “Ducks on the Pond” softball games, and even the infamous Falkfest. She also loved antiques and the competition of an auction and eventually offset her buying by establishing Side Door Antiques in St. Ansgar, which included an Antique Shoe Museum.

Kathy was a tireless volunteer, whose fierce spirit was only equaled by her giving heart. She was a founding member of the St. Ansgar Rescue Squad, of which she was extremely proud and served for many, many years. She was also a member of Questers, IC Club, Legion Auxiliary, St. Ansgar Chamber, and a number of other volunteer organizations, and most recently was a driving force in establishing the North Cedar Food Bank. As Chamber chair she was the instigator of multiple random “Fests,” including Herb Fest, Fall Fest, Quilt Fest, and numerous children’s activities during Town & Country Days. She wrote the program for several years of Vacation Bible School at Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she was a devout member.

She continued substitute teaching in St. Ansgar, often taking on the unruly classes and students that others could not handle, expertly whooping them into order. In 2005, her ultimate wish was granted with the birth of her first Grandson, Blake Allen Sellers. He was followed by Aspen Shae Falk later that year, Ava Rae Falk and Zachary David Sellers in 2008, and Grayson Richard Falk in 2010. The passion and love she had for her children was magnified with her grandchildren, who she adored, and passionately attended or watched on Saints TV any activity or game that she could. She and Dave even had a place in Lake Lotawana to spend time with their grandkids there. She frequently said that one of her hopes in life was to live long enough to really know her grandchildren and watch them be confirmed in the Christian faith. Mission accomplished.

Kathy thought of others before herself and would boldly go out of her way to help anyone in need. She faced life with pride and humility, strength and compassion, grace and ferocity. She will be missed, but her positive impact on so many will be remembered.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Kermit and Avis Iverson, and siblings MaryAnn Tillman, Judy Aageson and Phil Iverson. She is survived by her husband Dave (HELLO?!); siblings Bruce (Judy) Iverson, Betty (Steve) Walters, and Pete (Peggy) Iverson; children Andrea Sellers and Lindsey and Sommer Falk; and grandchildren Aspen, Ava and Grayson Falk, and Blake and Zach Sellers.

Visitation will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 12:00 pm, with a memorial service at 2:00 pm. A celebration of life will be held at Acorn Park following the services. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Rock Foundation Fund (c/o Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, 1915 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309) to support causes close to her heart, including the St. Ansgar Rescue Squad and North Cedar Food Bank.

Hoff Celebrations – Schroeder Chapel of St. Ansgar is assisting the family with arrangements.