Cheryl Heistand Rath Comstock

With profound love and sorrow, we announce the passing of a remarkable woman whose strength, devotion, and love for her family defined her life. Cheryl passed away on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at Gracewell in Denison, Iowa.

Cheryl, more affectionally known as “Toots”, Lynn (Heistand) Rath Comstock was born on July 5, 1957, to Leonard and Edith (Olson) Heistand in Denison, Iowa. She graduated from Dow City Arion High School in 1975. She then attended Iowa Central College in Fort Dodge with her best friends from high school. After a short stint at the Federal Reserve Bank in Council Bluffs, she spent the next 35 years of her career at Bank Iowa.

She was married in 1979, and from that union came her two most treasured gifts—her children, Kolby and Kiley—who remained the center of her world throughout her life.

In 2005, she met the love of her life, Steve Comstock. They were united in marriage on August 8, 2019. Together they shared a deep, steadfast bond. They enjoyed their annual camping trips to WE Fest as well as their motorcycle rides along the Mississippi River. Steve was her rock and constant companion, standing faithfully beside her throughout her entire cancer journey with unwavering love and devotion.

Cheryl was a fighter in every sense of the word. Given a diagnosis that was meant to take her far sooner, she defied every expectation—living 11 extraordinary years beyond what doctors predicted. In those years, she was blessed with a gift she was never supposed to have: the chance to meet and love all of her grandchildren. She became the proudest Grandma Toots or Grandma Uff Da (depending on who you asked) to her cherished “Six Pack”—Gavin, Claus, Carter, Ruari, Masen, and Ulrik—each of whom brought immeasurable joy, laughter, and purpose to her life.

Cheryl found her happiest moments in simple joys—quiet days at the lake, especially during the family’s annual Fourth of July gathering that also celebrated her birthday. The lake house became a place of comfort, laughter, and togetherness, holding memories that will forever be treasured by those she loved. She also deeply enjoyed her trips to Arkansas and Florida and spending time with her sisters, especially their boutique outings, which brought her laughter, connection, and special moments she held close to her heart.

Her legacy is one of resilience, unconditional love, and fierce devotion to family. She will be remembered for her strength, her warmth, and the way she loved with her whole heart. Though she is no longer with us, her spirit lives on in the lives she touched and the family she loved so deeply.

Cheryl is survived by her loving husband, Steve Comstock; son, Kolby (Casey) Rath of Bettendorf; daughter, Kiley (Tony) Clausen of Urbandale; her precious grandchildren: Gavin, Carter, and Masen Rath and Claus, Ruari and Ulrik Clausen; sister, Carolyn Phillips of Rogers, AR; brother, Tom Heistand of Dunlap; sister-in-law, Marvel Heistand (Virgil Johnson) of Denison; sister-in-law, Beth (Rollie) Roberts of Dunlap; and many cherished nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Edith Heistand; mother-in-law, Junith Comstock; brothers: Dave and Terry Heistand; and nephews: Michael and Quentin Heistand.

She will be profoundly missed and forever loved.

Visitation with family and friends will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Denison. Her funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Denison. Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Dow City Cemetery. The family will direct memorials.