Susan M. Gerdes

Susan M. Gerdes, 78, of Moline, Illinois, passed away Saturday, November 29, 2025, at home surrounded by her family, having been ravaged by lung cancer.

A hospitality gathering to celebrate Sue’s life will be 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, January 10, 2026, at CityView Celebrations at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline. Cremation will take place prior to services at Trimble Crematory. Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

The former Susan Mary Brower was born September 14, 1947, in Fairfield, Iowa, the second child but first daughter of Alvin and Bernice (Wellman) Brower. Six children later, the family of eight moved to Fort Madison, Iowa, where she graduated from Fort Madison High School in 1965. That same year, she was named co-queen of the Lee County Beauty Pageant, the mention of which in later years always embarrassed her.

She attended the University of Missouri as a freshman and then transferred to the University of Iowa, where she graduated with degrees in business and marketing. She worked as a junior buyer at Marshall Fields in Chicago and went on to marry Michael Gerdes on May 28, 1970, in Fort Madison.

Sue was most proud of raising their three children, Heath, Trista and Luke. She was a wonderful mother and wife, as well as a role model for all that came in touch with her. She traipsed around from Iowa to Arizona, back to Iowa, down to Arkansas, over to California, back to Arkansas and finally to the Quad Cities in 1981, all while her husband pursued his career as a professional G.P. and then an orthopedic surgeon.

She was quite the philanthropist, serving as co-chair of the Festival of Trees with Karen Getz and then as chairwoman by herself later on. She loved gardening, reading, cooking, and just being with family, especially her grandchildren. The “Brower clan” have an incredible bond with one another. She was a great friend to many and was respectful of others.

Sue is survived by her husband, Dr. Michael Gerdes; three children and their spouses, Heath and Stacy Gerdes of Naperville, Illinois, Trista and John Sanders of Coal Valley, Illinois, and Luke and Justyna Gerdes of Framingham, Massachusetts; eight grandchildren, her pride and joy, Mikela (Jacques) Swartz, Avery (Bri) Gerdes, Eric Gerdes, Addison Sanders, Jordan Sanders, Darien Sanders, Ryszard Gerdes, and Albert Gerdes; siblings, Jim (Linda) Brower, Dan Brower, Deb McCarthy, Connie (Dennis) Clupper, Jack (Mary) Brower, and Jane (Dave) Bartlett; a brother-in-law, Bill O’Donnell; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Sandy O’Donnell.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.