Kari (Mueller) Pekar, a former University of Iowa volleyball player and nurse, has died at the age of 33 following a battle with cancer. Her death on June 10, 2026, was announced by the University of Iowa, prompting tributes from the university’s athletic community and people who knew her through sports and her personal life.
Known for her years with the Iowa Hawkeyes women’s volleyball program, Pekar built a life that extended well beyond collegiate athletics. After graduating from the university, she pursued nursing, a profession centered on caring for others. She also married Peter Pekar in 2022 and became a mother to their daughter.
Her story brings together athletic achievement, a career in healthcare and the personal relationships that shaped her life. While her battle with cancer ended far too soon, her connection to the Iowa volleyball community remains an important part of her legacy.
Kari Pekar Cause of Death
Kari Pekar died following a battle with cancer, according to the University of Iowa Athletics announcement published on June 24, 2026.
The university did not identify the specific type of cancer in its announcement. No further medical details were confirmed in the sources reviewed, so it would be inaccurate to speculate about her diagnosis or treatment.
Her death at 33 has drawn attention to the loss experienced by her family, friends, former teammates and others who followed her journey.
Kari (Mueller) Pekar: Key Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kari (Mueller) Pekar |
| Age | 33 |
| Date of death | June 10, 2026 |
| Cause of death | Cancer, according to the University of Iowa |
| Hometown | Iowa City, Iowa |
| College | University of Iowa |
| Volleyball team | Iowa Hawkeyes women’s volleyball |
| Years on the team | 2011–2014 |
| University graduation | 2015 |
| Nursing degree | Kirkwood Community College, 2018 |
| Husband | Peter Pekar |
| Daughter | Ivy |
| Celebration of life | Scheduled for July 30, 2026, in Brookfield, Wisconsin |
A Standout Career With the Iowa Hawkeyes
Pekar played for the University of Iowa women’s volleyball team from 2011 through 2014. During those four seasons, she appeared in at least 20 matches each year, establishing herself as a consistent contributor to the program.
Her collegiate career included 93 match appearances and 17 starts. She finished with 357 digs, 33 assists and 17 service aces.
These statistics document her contribution to the team during her years as a Hawkeye. Her path also began well before college, in her hometown of Iowa City, where she attended City High School.
As a senior, Pekar earned all-state recognition and was reported to have held the school’s career record for digs. Her progression from high school volleyball to the university program reflected years of commitment to the sport.
For former teammates and supporters, her playing career remains one part of the story of a woman whose life included both athletic dedication and a later commitment to healthcare.
Education and a Career in Nursing
After completing her volleyball career, Pekar graduated from the University of Iowa in 2015 with a degree in health and human physiology.
She continued her education at Kirkwood Community College, where she earned a nursing degree in 2018. That qualification marked a new stage in her professional life, taking her from collegiate athletics into a field focused on patient care.
Although the available university announcement does not provide a detailed account of her nursing career, her educational path demonstrates her commitment to pursuing work beyond sports.
Her journey from student-athlete to nursing graduate formed an important part of her adult life, alongside her marriage and motherhood.
Family Life With Peter Pekar and Their Daughter
Pekar married Peter Pekar in 2022. He had also attended the University of Iowa and played tight end for the Iowa Hawkeyes football team.
The couple later welcomed their daughter, Ivy. Public tributes following Kari’s death reflected the profound loss felt by those close to her.
Her family life was an important part of the remembrance surrounding her passing. While many public accounts focus on her achievements in volleyball, her education and nursing, her roles as a wife and mother were equally significant parts of her life.
Details about private family matters should be treated with care, particularly during a period of grief. This article includes only family information reported in the sources reviewed.
Tributes From the Iowa Athletics Community
The University of Iowa’s announcement recognized Pekar’s passing and recalled her time with the women’s volleyball program. News of her death also prompted expressions of grief from people connected to Iowa athletics.
Former teammates and university athletes often maintain connections long after their playing careers end. Shared seasons, training, competition and friendships can create lasting bonds, making the loss of a former teammate especially painful.
Pekar’s connection to the Hawkeyes spanned several years, and her career statistics provide a record of her contribution to the team. Her subsequent nursing education and family life add further dimensions to the story being remembered by those who knew her.
Celebration of Life and Memorial Arrangements
A celebration of Kari Pekar’s life was scheduled for Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Brookfield, Wisconsin, according to the University of Iowa’s announcement.
That date has now passed. The sources reviewed for this article did not provide a complete, independently verified account of the service or additional arrangements.
People seeking further information about memorial details should consult family-approved notices or official announcements.
Remembering Kari Mueller Pekar
Kari Pekar’s life brought together several important chapters: her years as a student-athlete in Iowa City, her university education, her nursing qualification and her family life with Peter and their daughter.
Her death at 33 following cancer leaves family, friends and former teammates grieving a life cut short. The public record of her achievements offers one way to remember her, while personal memories held by those closest to her provide a fuller picture of the person beyond her athletic statistics.
As the Iowa community remembers Pekar, her connection to the Hawkeyes and her path into nursing remain central parts of her story.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information published by the University of Iowa Athletics and related news reports. The university confirmed that Pekar died following a battle with cancer but did not identify the specific cancer type in the announcement reviewed. Personal and medical details have not been added where reliable confirmation was unavailable.