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Obituary For Catherine Marie King
Catherine “Cathy” (Trusty) King, 73, passed away January 18, 2026, surrounded by family and love at Iowa Methodist Medical Center.
Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd). A funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m., also at the funeral home.
Cathy was born in Alexandria, Louisiana, on July 9, 1952. The daughter of Mary Yvonne (McDonald) Trusty and Thomas F. Trusty, Cathy grew up in Ankeny graduating from Ankeny High School in 1970. She later attended both Iowa State University and the University of Iowa, where she received her teaching degree in 1979.
It was that same year that Cathy began her teaching career as a reading specialist. Her commitment to reading and writing defined her 32-year tenure with Des Moines Independent Schools, culminating in her retirement in 2011. She loved teaching and she loved her students.
Henry Adams said, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” Even if Cathy did know the impact she had during her decades’ long career, she would never tell you. She was humble and kind.
Cathy valued her roles as both mother and grandmother. She regularly visited her son Christopher to read with him each week and always had time for her grandchildren's karate practice every Tuesday. She was always there to lend an ear when you needed to talk and was a wonderful friend and listener.
Throughout her life she enjoyed staying in contact with her best girlfriends, Debbie, Stacy, Diane, Teri, and Joyce. She talked about them all the time and cherished the fun and crazy adventures they had.
She is survived by her children, Brenda Bash Cooper (Jason), Christopher Keast, Caitlin Davis (Jonathon), and Chelsea King; grandchildren, Jordan, Jacob, Kingston, Sawyer and Sutton; brother, Tom Trusty (Barb); sisters, Beth Rohwedder, Lisa Kinseth (Bruce), and Stephanie Trusty; along with nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Tom Trusty; and her brother, Mark Trusty.
Cathy will always be remembered as a devoted and loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend. Her family loves her and misses her so much. They are so thankful for all she has done for them and they will never forget her.
Cathy’s family would like to extend thanks and praise to the staff at Sienna Hills in Ankeny, Valley View Village, Suncrest Hospice, as well as the Critical Care Unit and North 6 floor nursing staff for their exceptional care and comfort provided to Cathy during her illness.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Mosaic (a nonprofit organization for adults with disabilities) in loving acknowledgement of her son Christopher Dale Keast.
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Add A CondolenceMy heartfelt condolences to the entire Trusty family. Growing up across the street from the Trusty family on Ash drive carry some very special memories. Ash drive kids rule. Prayers to you all. Rest in peace Cathy.
I send all of Cathy's family n children n grandchildren my sincere sympathy. This journey n heartache is different for each of you. I will pray that God, who knows you n your pain, will send you comfort n strength n peace that is tailored exactly for you. I was in Mark's class n knew him best, but still, my heart knows the sorrow n grief you are experiencing. 🥰🙏✝️💔
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of my sweet friend, Cathy. My condolences to her family and all who loved her.
I met Cathy in 1977 when we were randomly placed to live in a lounge of a dormitory at the University of Iowa with 10 other women because the University had over-booked the dorms. We called ourselves the United Nations because the women in there were from all over the world. We slept in 6 bunk beds in the lounge, and no way to lock the door. We lived that way for several weeks until we were offered to pair up and live in a new trailor park in Coralville intended for married student housing that hadn't filled up. Cathy and I paired up immediately.
The trailor was nice but they only furnished what we'd get in a dorm so we each had a desk and a bed, and there was a kitchen table, but we felt like we had really scored! It was so much better than a dorm room! We sat in bean bag chairs and on the floor, and the U provided shuttle cars to get us to campus.
The downside of the trailor was that out the back door was a field and we could hear the mouse traps going off that we had set everywhere. The shuttle driver asked us how we liked our living situation. Cathy told him it was nice but we had a terrible mouse problem. He said, "Well, you better check your lease because no pets are allowed." I will never forget how hard we laughed.
While living there, Cathy's best friend from high school, Joyce, came to visit. The three of us enJOYed many laughs and late nights. At the end of that year, Cathy and I got an apartment together. Then she got married and had Christopher.
Although our life journeys took us in different directions, we continued to share the friendship of Joyce, who kept us connected, and we had some social media contact. I am forever grateful to Cathy for teaching me: to cook, to get the studying done and THEN go out and have fun, and for bringing Joyce into my life. I hold a special place in my heart for Cathy. 💖
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Cathy was my contact person when Mark was sick. I was recovering from a heart attack living in Atlanta and couldn't come home for Mark's funeral. I was so sad I couldn't make it home. Mark was a great friend. My best to the Trusty family. Ed Thayer
The Trusty family was and is an important part of Ankeny. We were all blessed to grow up in the best of times in the best of towns. Ron Sampson
Rest in peace, Cathy.
My most sincere condolences on your loss. Cathy was always such a nice person. As her brother, Mark, was my best friend growing up, I got to know the Trusty family very well. Holding your family in my prayers. God bless.
