Susan Mary Gerlits

Susan Mary Gerlits of Jerico Springs, Missouri, formerly of Marion, Iowa, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday June 3rd, 2025, after a brief battle with cancer. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Friday, June 6, 2025, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A graveside service will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Solon, Iowa, with a reception to follow at the Morse Community Club, 2542 Putnam Street NE, Iowa City.

Susan was born in Iowa City on March 21st, 1947, to Jean (Niner) and Lawrence Gerlits. Susan was the fourth child and only girl of the couple's 12 children and was always there for her brothers.

Susan grew up loving sports and was known for her strength and competitiveness. She graduated from Regina High School and immediately began with what would be her 38-year career at Rockwell Collins where she worked as a steward and auditor.

Susan was a devoted sister and she loved her family fiercely and was always available in times of need. She was an avid sports fan, enjoying football and women’s basketball most of all. Susan loved the Hawkeyes (GO HAWKS!) and traveled to multiple football games where she was known to never leave a game early, no matter the score. In 2003, along with her brother Mike, she moved to Missouri. On her acreage in Jerico Springs, she pursued her love of farming and animals. Susan took many trips in her life, including a memorable journey with a few of her charismatic brothers to California to visit brother Larry. She also traveled with her siblings to Italy and South America. She played cards, gardened, enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and loved her animals dearly.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Jean, 5 brothers and 3 sisters-in-law: George, Dale (Bonnie), Jim, Jeff, and Larry (MaryAnn and Faye). She is survived by her brothers Robert Gerlits of Washington, DC, Mike (Jenny) Gerlits of Missouri, Tim (Lisa) Gerlits of Cedar Rapids, Vincent (Sue) Gerlits of Morse, Francis (Daisy) Gerlits of Florida, Pat (Gabrielle) Gerlits of Colorado, Wanda (Jim) Gerlits of Kansas, and Linda (George) Gerlits of Iowa City, and her beloved dog, Lucky, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was loved by many and will be greatly missed.