Kerry Kathleen Foland

Please join
us in celebrating Kerry’s life on June 3, 2025, at St. Patrick’s Catholic
Church in Missouri Valley, IA, with Mass beginning at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon
will follow in the church hall. All are welcome.

Kerry Kathleen
Foland, age 74, of Missouri Valley, IA passed away peacefully on April 9, 2025,
at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, NE. She was born on August 26, 1950, to Paul
Edwin and Anna Rosalie (Triplett) Solon in Council Bluffs, IA.

Kerry married
Gene Foland on June 3, 1972, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Missouri
Valley, where she was a lifelong member. She attended St. Patrick’s Catholic
Grade School in Missouri Valley and later St. Albert’s Catholic High School in
Council Bluffs.

Kerry’s
senior class was the first group of girls to graduate from St. Albert’s
Catholic High School. Just one week after graduation, at the age of 17, Kerry
began what was meant to be a temporary assignment at Mutual of Omaha. That “temporary”
job became a remarkable 50-year career marked by loyalty and dedication. In
addition to her work at Mutual, Kerry spent many weekends working at the
Missouri Valley Antique and Craft Mall.

She and Gene
raised two sons, Kristopher Scott, 49, and Kurtis Michael, 44, in a loving home
rooted in values of independence, thoughtfulness, and kindness. Kerry was the
heart and soul of her family and home, an exemplary mother, grandmother, and
human being.

She embodied
the best qualities: unconditional love, inner strength, and endless generosity.
She was a tireless supporter of her sons’ activities, particularly baseball. At
every home game, you could find her in the press box running the scoreboard. In
later years, she enthusiastically attended her grandchildren’s events. Kerry
absolutely adored Isabelle and Keenan and truly cherished time spent with her
family and friends.

Kerry was a
unique and witty woman with a great sense of humor. When Gene would head out
fishing, she never asked when he’d return or whether he’d bring fish home but
always left him with the best advice: “stay out of the water.”

Her favorite
pastimes included birdwatching, arts and crafts, playing cribbage and cards,
crossword puzzles, bowling, and casino outings with her sisters. One of her
most treasured adventures was a family trip to Ireland with her mother,
siblings, and their spouses.

Kerry was
also an exceptional cook and could bake anything from scratch. Like her mother,
she made everything in the kitchen seem effortless. Her famous BBQ chip dip,
beef spread, and vegetable dip were holiday staples that everyone looked forward
to.

In addition
to her many talents, Kerry loved writing poetry and letters. Her most recent
pen pal was her granddaughter, Isabelle. After Isabelle went off to college,
Grandma wrote to her every month and never missed a holiday card. If you were
ever lucky enough to receive a card or letter from Kerry, you knew it was something
special.

Kerry was a
shining light in the lives of all who knew her. Her warmth, kindness, and
strength touched so many. Her passing leaves a deep void in the hearts of her
family, friends, and all those blessed to have known her. Her memory will live
on in the love she gave and the lives she touched.

Kerry is
survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Gene; sons, Kristopher Foland of
Bloomington, MN and Kurtis (Brooke) Foland of Missouri Valley, IA; beloved
grandchildren, Isabelle and Keenan Foland; brothers, Matthew (Connie) Solon of
Council Bluffs, IA and Paul (Sharon) Solon of Missouri Valley, IA; sisters,
Anita Solon, Annette (Dennis) Walsh, and Mary Killpack, all of Missouri Valley,
IA; sister-in-law, Christine (Norman) Ellison of Ottumwa, IA; brothers-in-law,
Randy Foland of Logan, IA, and Kevin (Shelly) Foland of Omaha, NE; and many
nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

She was
preceded in death by her mother Anna Rosalie; father Paul Edwin; brother, John
and her grandparents.