| Graduation Year | Class of 1979 |
| Date of Passing | Nov 12, 2008 |
| About | Cynthia K. Rinehart Cynthia Kay (Sowder) Rinehart, 47, of Waukee went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at Mercy Medical Center after courageously battling breast cancer for almost four years. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, November 16, 2008 with a Vigil service at 7 p.m. at Hamilton’s Funeral Service, 605 Lyon St. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Francis of Assisi, 7075 Ashworth Rd. in West Des Moines. Cynthia was born on May 18, 1961 to Dale Martin Sowder and LaVerda Lorraine James. Growing up in Altoona, Cindy was involved in many activities such as softball, gymnastics, 4H, Girl Scouts and swimming club. She graduated from Southeast Polk High School in 1979 where she was involved in Rhythemettes, synchronized swimming and swim team. After graduation, Cindy moved to Norwalk, California to be with her brothers and other family members, while there, Cindy became a grade school teacher as her love for children was always strong. She moved back to Altoona where she met and married John Rinehart on September 8, 1990 in Des Moines. She served on the board of education at St. Joseph’s where her two children attended school. She and John moved to Waukee where she became President of the Waukee Optimist Club before she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. Cindy was an avid sports fan, especially for the Denver Broncos, NASCAR Racing and USA Soccer. She would go to every sporting event that she could that her children were involved in as well as her nieces and nephews. She especially loved watching her nephews play indoor soccer at Sportsplex West. Cindy also was a huge supporter of the Knights of Columbus where her husband John is a 4th degree knight. She was known and loved by many, especially her nieces and nephews who lovingly referred to her as “Aunt Tia”. Cindy’s kind acts of generosity were wide spread but not always known, Cindy did not believe in being boastful but was always willing to help anyone and everyone who was in need whether she knew them or not. She definitely believed in helping others first and herself last. She was very well loved and will be missed by many. Cindy leaves behind her loving husband of 18 years, John; son, Phillip LaRocco, III of West Des Moines; daughters, Denae (TJ) Hickle of Waukee and Carie Rinehart of Terrell, Texas; two granddaughters, Illyjana Hickle of Waukee and Courtney Thorton of Terrell, Texas; mother, LaVerda Lockard of Waukee; four brothers, Gene Sowder of Pleasantville, Dale (Amy) Sowder of Winterset, Bill (Nela) Sowder of Altoona and Terry (Terri) Sowder of Sandia, Texas; one sister, DeeDee (Wes) Lounsbury of Waukee; many, many nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws; and her best friend of 35 years, Lorrie Bates. Cindy had a way of touching everyone’s lives like few others could – even with her death. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all her doctors and nurses especially Dr. Phil Collitier and her nurse, Velvet Cordaro of Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. The care that was given to her was of love and caring, not just a job. Preceding her in death was her beloved father, Dale Sowder of Altoona; grandparents, Cloie Sowder of Des Moines; Clarence James of Harrison, Arkansas, Edna Baize Terrazas of Norwalk, California; and step-father, Homer Lockard of Grimes. Cindy did not want anyone to mourn her death but wanted them to celebrate her life with that being said, she would like everyone to attend a Luau at DeeDee Lounsbury’s home, 110 Windfield Pkwy in Waukee at 6 p.m. Saturday, November 15, 2008. |
