Kate (Mary Kathleen) Getty, PhD, was born on June 25th, 1975, to Dr. Keith and Rosemary Leonard in Atlantic, Iowa. She passed away on March 17th, 2026, in Cedar Rapids, IA. Kate was very active in sports, government, and school activities throughout her time in Atlantic and brought a bright smile and big hug to everyone she met. She attended Briar Cliff University, where she met her husband, Tim Getty. They were united in marriage on August 16th, 1997, in Atlantic, IA. Kate graduated from Briar Cliff University in 1998 and went on to get her Master's and Doctorate in Higher Education from the University of South Dakota. She loved school and learning, and received her Master’s in Business Administration in 2017 from the University of Iowa. On January 23rd, 2016, Kate and Tim were blessed with the arrival of their son, Brennan.

Kate loved traveling and all things Disney, Iowa State, women’s basketball, the Olympics, and the Chicago Cubs. She especially enjoyed her dream trip to Disneyland in December 2025. Kate was very strong in her faith and loved her family and friends, including the St. Matthew School family.

She spent her career helping others in their times of need, including counseling, homeless outreach, supporting student success, assisting at-risk older adults, and helping those who were hungry and in need of a helping hand. She was a take-charge person who was always ready to help out and “get it done”.

Proceeding her in death are her mother, Rosemary Leonard; sister-in-law(s), Jill Leonard and Anna Ranachowski; and both sets of grandparents.

Survivors include, her husband: Tim, son Brennan, and beloved dog Duncan of Cedar Rapids, IA, her father, Dr. Keith Leonard and friend Rae Om Con of Atlantic, IA; brothers, Doug and David of Atlantic, brother-in-law Dan Ranachowski of Daytona Beach, Florida; nieces Catherine, Reagan, and Mary, and nephews Scott, Cooper, and Thomas.

Kate always lived by St. Teresa’s quote, “ If you can’t feed a 100 people, feed just one.”

Public visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at St. Pius X Catholic Church (4949 Council St NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402) with Vigil Service at 4:30 p.m. with Fr. Jon Seda presiding.

A additional public visitation will be held on Monday, March 23, 2026 from 9:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m., with the Family present from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Atlantic.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, with Fr. Brad Robey as the celebrant, with burial to follow at SS Peter & Paul Cemetery. A luncheon will be held following the committal in the SS Peter & Paul Parish Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Getty Family, as they will be designated at a later date in honor of her. They may be mailed to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home P.O Box 523, Atlantic, IA 50022.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Atlantic.