Roma Lea Kouri

Roma Lea Kouri, 91, of West Des Moines, Iowa, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at McLaren’s Resthaven Chapel in West Des Moines, followed by a visitation and inurnment at Resthaven Mausoleum.

Roma was born on August 29, 1931, in Sioux City, Iowa, the daughter of Dave and Adele Nasser, and the sister of Nedra Nasser. During her childhood, the family moved to Charleston, West Virginia; Aurora, Colorado; and Burbank, California. Roma worked in the family businesses, which included grocery stores in Charleston and Burbank and housing development in Aurora. After graduation from Aurora High School, Roma worked at Denver Dry Goods Company as secretary to the president.

In 1956, she met Fred Kouri, of Des Moines, Iowa, and they were married the following year. Together for 63 years, they had four children and thoroughly enjoyed their family, getting together with friends and watching their children and grandchildren perform in sports, concerts, and other school events.

For several years, Roma operated her own interior design studio and gift shop, Interiors & Accents. For many years, she was a sales associate for Younkers Department Store, consistently earning awards for sales and service, and was also a sales consultant at a modern art gallery.

Roma was active in religious and civic organizations, including Sacred Heart Church and the Iowa CPA Society, of which Fred served as president for several years. She managed or participated in hundreds of fundraising and service events for the church, and always made time for family, friends, and neighbors.

Roma was an avid bridge player, enjoyed playing the piano, was an accomplished singer, and was a member of the Sacred Heart Choir for more than 45 years. As a child, Roma had polio, and experienced symptoms throughout her life, which she faced with great strength and determination.

Roma was a loving, devoted, and giving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is preceded in death by her husband, Fred, and is survived by her children: Charles (Tracy Caldwell), Fred (Laura), David, and Steven (Jeanne); six grandchildren: Leah Kouri (David Rice), Hannah Kouri, Sam Kouri, Nathan Kouri, Emily Kouri, Max Kouri, and four great grandchildren: Orion Rice, Emily Rice, Isabelle Rice, and Abigail Rice.

As a remembrance, the family requests donations to the Roma Lea Kouri Memorial Fund at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City (Department of Philanthropy, Children's Mercy- Kansas City, 2401 Gillham Rd.

Kansas City, MO 64108).