DES MOINES, Iowa — Kayla Marjorie Cooley, 35, of Des Moines, Iowa, formerly of Kansas City and Great Bend, Kan., passed away at UnityPoint Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Kayla, a beloved daughter, sister, friend and fiancé, passed away on April 1, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She touched the lives of everyone around her with her kindness, strength, and unwavering spirit. It’s impossible to replicate the passion, humor, intelligence, and vibrant personality that she possessed.

Kayla was born on Jan. 6, 1991, in Great Bend, Kan., to her mother Lori Cooley and father Chris Cooley. She was engaged to EJ Hiss of Great Bend, Kan. Kayla graduated from Great Bend High School, attended Barton County Community College, and earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. She worked for Ascent Global Logistics for a decade and was a resident of Kansas City, Mo. for many years before later moving to Des Moines, Iowa.

From a young age, Kayla enjoyed playing softball, basketball, volleyball, and rollerblading, and was a true tomboy at heart. Her interests included caring for her plants, board games and puzzles, crafting, dancing around her beloved home, listening to music—especially Taylor Swift—keeping up with politics, hiking, traveling, thrifting, and spending time with her family, friends, her fiancé, and her dog Charli.

Kayla is survived by her mother, Lori Cooley of Des Moines, Iowa; her father, Chris Cooley of Larned, Kan.; her brother, Dylan Cooley of Shawnee, Kan.; and her fiancé, EJ Hiss of Des Moines, Iowa. She is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Marilyn Frank (Leuenberger).

A Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, April 10, 2026 at the Porter Funeral Home, Lenexa, Kan. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, April 11 at 11 a.m. at Porter Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery, Shawnee, Kan.

Pallbearers: Dylan Cooley, E J Hiss, Josh Sigler, Aaron Leuenberger, Brent Leuenberger, Logan Leuenberger.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Porter Funeral Home

8535 Monrovia Street

Lenexa, KS 66215

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 9, 2026