Russell Kool

Russell “Russ” Kool, 88, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, passed away peacefully on March 31st, 2026, following a courageous journey with Parkinson’s disease.

Russ was born on January 1, 1938, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, to John and Ethel Tharp Kool Kensler.

He attended Cedar Consolidated School from kindergarten through high school. After a brief time at Iowa State University, Russ began his professional career at John Deere in Ottumwa, Iowa. His entrepreneurial spirit soon led him back to Oskaloosa, where he built his first coin-operated laundry—marking the beginning of a lifetime devoted to building businesses and serving his community.

Seeking broader opportunities, Russ and his wife, Marty (Johnston), moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they founded the R.J. Kool Company. The dealership sold and leased commercial laundry and dry-cleaning equipment and steadily grew under their leadership. With the construction of a new office and warehouse and expansion into Kansas City and Nebraska, R.J. Kool Company became one of the larger businesses of its kind in the United States.

Throughout his life, Russ remained deeply engaged in the Cedar Rapids business community. In addition to R.J. Kool Company, he was involved in several ventures, including Partners Leasing, CR Refuel Station, Citywide Cleaners, and Point Builders. Marty played an instrumental role in the growth and success of these enterprises, and together they built a strong professional and personal partnership.

Russ embraced life with energy and enthusiasm. He enjoyed snow skiing with the Crater Makers, lively business conversations with friends at the Exchange Club, and friendly competition on the racquetball court. An avid traveler, he explored many parts of the world and treasured the memories made along the way.

Russ is survived by his son, Matt Kool and wife Amy of Austin, Texas, and children, Sage Russell Kool and Ava Lee Kool; and his daughter, Carrie Kool Worthington and husband John of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and their children, Josh Worthington and his fiancée Sarah of Nevada, and Zach Worthington and his wife Kari of Minnesota.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Kool and Ethel Tharp Kool Kensler; his sisters, Marcia Carlson (Bud Carlson) of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Marilyn Herny (John Herny) of Leighton, Iowa; his wife, Marty (Martha) Johnston Kool, who passed away on April 13, 2000; and his second wife, Nancy Gray Kool, who passed away April 2008. Both wives preceded him in death after courageous battles with cancer.

Cremation will take place, with a Celebration of Life gathering to follow at 1:00 pm on Friday April 17th at WesternHome Communities Diamond Event Center, 5307 Caraway Lane, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613. 319-859-9324.

Dahl-Van Hove- Schoof Funeral Home of Cedar Falls, Iowa is assisting the family. 319-266-7525

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Russ’s honor to Cedar Bend Humane Society (Cedar Falls, Iowa), Western Home Communities (Cedar Falls, Iowa), or Cedar Valley Hospice (Waterloo, Iowa).