Kimberly Zarley

Click the link to watch the livestream service- http://hopeonline.tv/specialevents

Kimberly Beth Zarley, 67, of Des Moines, Iowa passed away peacefully May 8, 2023, from a recurrence of kidney cancer. Funeral services will be Monday, May 15 at 11 a.m. at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Pkwy in West Des Moines. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.

Originally from Des Moines, Kim was born November 26, 1955, to Marilyn (LaPorte) and Donald Zarley. Kim’s faith and love of reading began in Beaverdale, just down the street from the Zarley home on Adams Avenue. Byron Rice Elementary School and First Federated Church were the building blocks for her lifelong journey in creativity, learning, and theology. The Zarleys eventually planted roots on the Southwest side of Des Moines where Kim attended Brody Junior High and Lincoln High School.

Following high school graduation in 1974, Kim went to Iowa State University in Ames, where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She received her first Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design in 1978 and a second Bachelor of Arts from Iowa State in Graphic Design in 1981.

Kim’s talent as a graphic designer and art director launched a successful career spanning Des Moines, Denver, Chicago, and St. Louis. For 30 years, she designed magazines and books for national publishers, including Better Homes and Gardens, and owned The Pineapple Group, a design agency in Des Moines. Her modern use of color and type was distinctive and uniquely Kim. Her home was impeccably decorated and full of color and light, showcasing her signature style.

In 2009, Kim was called back to her spiritual roots and attended seminary at Brite Divinity School in Ft. Worth, graduating with two master’s degrees from Iliff School of Theology in Denver. She was ordained and called to serve as the associate pastor at First Christian Church in Hopkinsville, KY in February 2018. She also served as Transitional Pastor at First Christian Church of Ash Grove, in Ash Grove, MO, and Senior Minister at First Christian Church in Neosho, MO. In addition to the congregations she served, during her lifetime she was a member at Wakonda Christian Church in Des Moines, Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, IL, and Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines.

She was an advocate for survivors of childhood sexual abuse and was instrumental in starting a support group at Hope, involved with the Wings Foundation in Denver, and in 2006 organized the Hope that Heals seminar in Des Moines featuring former Miss America Marilyn Van Derbur, among others; additionally, she created and taught a curriculum, The Courageous Dance.

Faith and family were a significant part of Kim’s life. She continually read in her quest to learn and was the family historian, visually documenting gatherings of family and friends. She also loved nature, capturing the changing seasons, blooming flowers, amazing skies, and all the beauty she discovered whether she was traveling across town or across the country.

Kim is survived by her siblings, Jon (Caroline Hwang) of Kona, HI, Tim (Ruth) of Des Moines, and Tricia (Joel) Drake of Des Moines; six nieces and nephews, Chase Nicholson, Brennan and Lauren Drake, JackOwen, Avery and Gianna Zarley; her aunt, Suzi Zarley, and many cousins.

She was welcomed to Heaven by several relatives preceding her in death, including her parents, grandparents, several aunts and uncles, and special cousins.

Visitation will be held prior to the funeral from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday, May 15 at Lutheran Church of Hope, 925 Jordan Creek Pkwy in West Des Moines. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lutheran Church of Hope.

As much as Kim loved “Hoptown” she wished to return to Des Moines, and we are grateful we could bring her home, even if only for a short time. Our family would like to thank the congregations and communities where she served who were so welcoming and kind to Kim.