Maxine L. Vick

Maxine L. Vick

Cedar Rapids

Maxine Lorraine “Lori” Vick, a cherished mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, and a lifelong resident of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026, at the age of 87. She was born on February 7, 1938, to J. Loren Coolahan and Maxine May (Horn) Coolahan. After her biological father left the family, she was raised by her stepfather, James F. Fowler, who married her mother and became a guiding presence throughout her life.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 17, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Unity Center of Cedar Rapids, located at 3791 Blairs Ferry Road NE. A time of remembrance will begin at 3:00 p.m.

Lori is survived by her children Laura (Patrick) Campbell, David (Melanie) Vick, Michael Vick, Jenifer Vick, Wendy (Glen) Hanson, and Keith Differding, with whom she reunited in 2019, an experience that was deeply meaningful for them both. She is also survived by her siblings Bill (Joyce) Coolahan, Steve (Loreta) Fowler, and Susanne (Ibrahim) Fowler; her nieces Mary Jensen and Stacie Fowler; and her adored grandchildren Shaely, Liam, Parker, Owen, and Lilly.

She was preceded in death by her parents and former husband, James W. Vick.

Through the mid-to-late 1950s, Lori and best friends, Pat Coutentos and Pat Fillmore, could often be found dancing the night away at the Armar Ballroom in Marion or Danceland in Cedar Rapids. Lori loved to dance, and she was very good at it.

Determined to earn her high school diploma, Lori attended night school as an adult and proudly earned it in 1978, the same year her eldest daughter, Laura, received her diploma.

Lori was a voracious reader and an enthusiastic Scrabble player, especially enjoying games with her sister-in-law, Alice. A passionate movie buff, she delighted in watching and recalling actors, actresses, and films from every era of the silver screen. Music was also a constant in her life, reflected in her extensive vinyl collection featuring artists such as Ray Charles, The Supremes, and Ronnie Spector.

A devoted sports fan, particularly during the 1980s, Lori enjoyed watching Major League Baseball, boxing, and Iowa men’s basketball. She cheered for boxing greats Sugar Ray Leonard and Ken Norton, followed the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers, and had a special fondness for Steve Garvey. In basketball, she was a loyal fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, especially during Lute Olson’s coaching years, and loved watching B.J. Armstrong and later Chris Street play.

Entrepreneurial and community-minded, Lori co-owned Repeat Boutique, a clothing consignment shop in Hiawatha, with her friend Connie Bowler. And when her children were young, she also gave of her time as a Kenwood Presbyterian Church Sunday School teacher and a Hiawatha Kids League coach for fifth- and sixth-grade girls’ softball.

Above all, Lori treasured her family. Known for her sharp wit and spunky spirit, especially in her later years, she leaves behind a legacy of resilience, humor, and love that will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages acts of kindness in Lori’s memory.