Suzann L. Podjasek

Suzann L. Podjasek (Larson) passed away on August 3, 2022 at the Pepper Family Hospice CareCenter in Barrington from pancreatic cancer. Known by her family as Suzy and to some of her friends as Sue, she was born in Deep River, Iowa at the home of her grandparents who were both physicians. She was born July 19, 1943 to Floyd Ernest Larson and Marian Crain Larson, joining her twin sisters, Sonjia and Sandy in Des Moines, Iowa. When she was ready for 1st grade the family moved to Clarendon Hills, IL where Suzy grew up. She graduated from Hinsdale High School, class of '61, and the University of Illinois in 1965 where she earned her BA in fine art and where she met her husband. She was married to Frederick Albert Podjasek (known to the family as Poj) in 1966. To that marriage were born two sons, Mark and David.

Everyone loved Suzy for her kind, loving nature. She showed care and concern for others in all she did and said. She loved her family most of all. She was a great lover of animals as well, always having one or more cats or dogs, birds or fish. Back in her single days she even had pet fancy mice. Her extreme artistic talent showed up in her many hobbies-everything from making stuffed animals and dolls, stained glass, jewelry, die-cutting, quilting, and scrapbooking. She also enjoyed gardening and house plants, especially her African violets.

After her divorce in 1980 she began her professional work in banking, starting at Center Bank in Glen Ellyn and finishing her career at Community Bank of Wheaton and Glen Ellyn. She was much appreciated for her true caring for the clients and working to solve their account problems.

She was predeceased by her parents, her brother-in-law Richard McNear, and her parents-in-law John and Marie Podjasek. She is survived by her two sons, Mark Larson Podjasek of Glen Ellyn and David Frederick Podjasek and his wife Heidi Danis Podjasek of Oswego, and her beloved grandson Lucas Edward Podjasek who was the joy of her life; Suzy's two sisters Sonjia McNear of Jaffrey, NH and Sandra Gosselink and husband Eugene of Cincinnati, OH; former husband Poj, and nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation (www.jdrf.org or JDRF, PO Box 37920, Boone IA 50037-0920), or to your favorite animal shelter would be appreciated.

Memorial Gathering at Leonard Memorial Home, 565 Duane Street in Glen Ellyn, IL on Wednesday August, 10th from 4-8 PM with service at 7:30 PM.