Donald L. Hoth, 88, Waterloo

Donald Leo Hoth, 88, of Waterloo, died Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home from complications of Parkinson’s and dementia.

Don was born on January 24, 1938, in Waverly, the son of Raymond and Angela King Hoth.

Don graduated from University of Iowa. He was employed by IBM Corporation for 27 years in engineering, marketing, and management. He took an early retirement and beginning in 1987 he was employed as the director of Covenant Foundation (now MercyOne) for 15 years and vice president of development for 5 years.

He served in the United States Army Reserves, 1961-1966.

Don had a passion for helping others and was deeply involved in the community. He served for 11 years on the Cedar Valley United Way Board of Directors, including as board chair, and also served on the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Governmental Affairs Committee, and the Waterloo Convention and Visitors Bureau. He was a founder and board member of Cedar Valley Economic Development and spent 20 years as a Waterloo Ambassador. He also served on the AEA Board of Directors, the Black Hawk County Compensation Board, and the Waterloo Leisure Services Commission. He received the President’s Volunteer Service Award in both 2010 and 2011. Don co-founded the Black Hawk County Gaming Association and served as its president, helping create lasting change in the Cedar Valley. Don was a true leader who believed anything was possible. He was warm, personable, and kind to everyone he met.

He married the love of his life, Julie Mauer Koch, on June 28, 1997. Don often said, “She is the best thing that ever happened to me.” Don and Julie were blessed with 29 years of marriage and lived each day to the fullest even when Don’s health was failing. Don enjoyed time with friends, golfing, playing Wordscapes on his iPad, relaxing on the deck, going to the ISLE, and cheering for the UNI Panthers and Iowa Hawkeyes.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Julie Koch-Hoth; son, John Hoth; daughter-in-law, Kathy Sweeney-Hoth; stepdaughter, Caitlin (David) Boyd; stepson, Eric Koch; brothers-in-law, Scot Mauer, Jay (Vicki) Mauer, Andy (Gail) Mauer, and Nick (Kelly) Mauer; sister-in-law, Jackie (Chris) Doyle; his mother-in-law, Mary Mauer; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; son, David Hoth; brother, Richard Hoth; sister, Judy Seifert; father-in-law, Orville Mauer and sister-in-law, Jacque Mauer.

Funeral Service: 10:30 AM, Wednesday, August 19 at St. Edward Catholic Church, Waterloo with burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Visitation: 4:00 to 6:00 PM, Tuesday, August 18 at Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave, and for an hour before services at the church.

Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice, Waterloo Community Foundation, or UNI Ever Loyal Club.