Denese Marie Kromminga, 63, of Solon, Iowa died February 4, 2016 from complications of ovarian cancer.  She was at home surrounded by family and friends.  February 4th was World Cancer Day.

Denese was born November 14, 1952, the second living child of Genevieve Konicek Kromminga and Edmund Kromminga. She attended Benton Community Schools and earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Iowa. On July 26, 1975 she married Kevin Toomey; they later divorced. She was the mother of three children: Micah, Bridget, and Daniel.

She worked the majority of her career as a school social worker for Grant Wood Area Education Agency. She loved working with young children.

Denese was a certified Kundalini yoga teacher. She enjoyed backyard farming, plants and chickens, and shopping for treasures at Goodwill and consignment stores with her daughters and friends. Denese stayed current on world affairs and enjoyed a variety of world cuisines.  She cherished times with friends and family. Her kindness and grace during her illness were an inspiration to everyone.

Denese was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Deborah Rose Kromminga, who died in infancy.

She is survived by friend Paul Sofranko of Iowa City, Iowa; her children Micah Toomey and husband Malcolm Sturgis, Winnetka, Illinois, Bridget Toomey, Iowa City, and Daniel Toomey, St. Paul, Minnesota; and beloved grandchildren Annabel, Ian, and Edward Sturgis.

She is also survived by siblings Dan and wife Debbie, Albany, Georgia; Jill and husband Jeff Risk, Iowa City; Jeff and wife Darla, Keystone, Iowa; John and wife Margo, Grimes, Iowa; and Kara (Kromminga) Cobb and husband Mike, Urbandale, Iowa; several nieces and nephews; many friends; and her canine companions Lucky and Yogi.

Special thanks to her friends for their support and kindness throughout her illness.

A celebration of Denese's life will be held on Sunday, February 14 at the Avacentre Community Room, 100 South Cedar, Solon. Visitation is from 1 to 3 PM, followed by a ceremony and refreshments. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the NormaLeah Ovarian Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 6935 Rock Island, IL 6120, http://www.normaleahfoundation.org/donatenow.html or National Ovarian Cancer http://www.ovarian.org .