Suzy Beshears
September 26, 1949 ~ April 9, 2021
Katherine 'Suzy' Beshears, 71, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Friday, April 9, 2021, at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, following an extended illness. Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, April 15, 2021, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, by Pastor Rich Toomsen. Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial: Oak Hill Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.
Friends and extended family are invited to watch the Funeral via webcast. Please find the link to the webcast and share your support and memories with Suzy's family on her tribute wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.
Survivors include her sons, Emmett (Mindy Schaap) and Anthony Beshears; grandchildren, Ashley (Myles) Monnahan, Melissa Jacobus (Sharon Kenney), Justin (Beth) Bascom, Tyson Hathaway, and Mariah Beshears; great-grandchildren, Brendyn and Brooklyn Monnahan, Josh and Jordan Jacobus, Damien, Braxton, Devon, Justin Jr., and Treyvin Bascom, and Tysean and Tylesiana Hathaway; great-great-grandson, Marcus; brother, Wesley Beshears; sister-in-law, Marlene Chevalier-Beshears; several nieces and nephews; many close and treasured friends; beloved dog, Tuffy; and numerous extended family members.
Katherine Willmet Beshears was born September 26, 1949, to William and Kathleen (Patterson) Beshears in Cedar Rapids. She graduated from Washington High School. Suzy worked for the Jane Boyd Community House for over 30 years, serving the community as the activity coordinator. She worked hard to organize and create opportunities for kids in the community including arranging the T-ball and basketball leagues, little league baseball, and boys' and girls' groups. Suzy enjoyed having 'game days' with friends, and they would play board and card games for hours. Suzy was absolutely a huge Michael Jackson fan' her vinyl record warped because she listened to it so much. She enjoyed and had a knack for buying great gifts, and the family can attest these usually were mail ordered from a catalog.
Suzy cherished spending time with her family'her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. She loved playing games with them, attending their activities, traveling to Wisconsin and Minnesota to visit. Suzy was a true role model to them all, and they will dearly miss her.
She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Bill Beshears; and sister, Ethel Thomas-Giles.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Suzy was one of the greatest mentors to impact my life she was the reason I wanted to have a career in Youth development . What I learned from her I still use in my job today. Not only will Suzy be missed but her legacy will live on in all of those she has mentored and those who continue to follow in her footsteps. My prayers go out to the entire family at this very tough time. Lori Ampey
These leaves on these trees will remind us all just how many Youth lives Suzy Impacted.
“Suzy Beshears” will remain in our hearts forever.
Suzy was such a special lady. Knew her since I was a baby. Now you are in heaven with my mom Saundra having a ball. Thank God I got to see you when I was there last. Love you dearly. The molden family (Neicole)
Suzie was Mrs. Jane Boyd. She was firm, but fair. She will be greatly missed.
I am a kid who played T-ball for Jane Boyd…Susie was one of the reasons so many kids had a chance to play sports. Thank you Susie for all you time and dedication to the youth of Cedar Rapids
Suzy was not only a part of my village she had me helping her with many of her activities at Jane Boyd my second home. From coaching and umpiring in the summer and referee and coaching in the winter. She loved to see the kids succeeding. Take your rest. ❤️
She coached both my boys. She loved the hotdogs at the gas station 😢
We have known Susie for years she was a very nice person, and a hard worker.
Suzy mentored me and my son. She encouraged him to volunteer helping with her after school program and giving up Friday nights to keep score for her. Suzy could inspire people to help with her causes of providing safe activities for the neighborhood kids. My favorite memories of Suzy was helping with Girls Group and the yearly overnight. No telling how many girls and boys she impacted in her lifetime. My heart and prayers go to her family. I love you Suzy!
I will always remember Suzy as a truly strong pillar of the Cedar Rapids community who cemented the foundation of Jane Boyd Community House. You can’t even mention the name Jane Boyd without including the name Suzy Beshear’s. All those who grew up attending Jane Boyd in the earlier 80’s can attest to this woman’s kind passionate devotion to kids and this activity center. So many young boys/girls have gone on to do extraordinary things in life coming up under her mentoring, tutelage and guidance RIP Cedar Rapids will miss you
Suzy RIP and thank you for your kind and generous spirit…you gave hope to so many children and young people…prayers to your family 💖
Another Icon from the ole neighborhood has joined the Oak Hill Family of Angels. Time to rest Suzy. My prayers to the family members🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 Mary Atkinson Howard, Tallahassee FL
Suzy was a kind person with a caring heart. She was wonderful person who also taught other classes at Jane Boyd, including cooking classes. She will be missed.
We extend our sympathies to Suzy’s family and close friends. May your wonderful memories of Her help to bring you some healing during this time.
My best friend knew Suzy better than me however; I did know her and her brothers back in the 1960’s! She was a great person and did much for her community and will be missed.
Suzy was always Anthony’s biggest fan ! When things turned upside down years ago , She turned to all of us to close that gap , which we did as much as we could as 21 year old friends . Suzy was an icon , a true believer of youth and always was encouraging ! Every time I saw Suzy she was embracing a hug friendly ! Amazing woman to say the least ! Such a heartbreaking moment to say Rest Peaceful Suzy ! Love ya mama Beshears !!
There are no words to describe the impact this lady had in shaping my development. From bluebirds to ballet, from after school programming to learning to skate and playing softball Suzy was the one who introduced and cultivated these awesome opportunities. I am forever grateful for influence and care.
Suzy was a lady that got things done at Jane Boyd, she was a smiling face you could count on and talk to, she loved the kids and they looked up to her! She was a force to be reckoned with! She will truly not be forgotten! RIP Suzy!
Love and prayers!!!!
Susie was not only my Mother’s dearest friend but was one of the most giving people. She has done so much for children in our family who grown to be wonderful young adults. She touched so many children and their families. Either softball, after school programs, day care, dance She touched so many lives you can not here Jane Boyd with thinking of Suzy Beshears. You will be missed. You work is done here Rest in Heaven Suzy.
Suzy was such a giving and thoughtful person. When my grandmother (her aunt) Bernice Sasek moved back to Cedar Rapids at age 89, Suzy was her steadfast friend and helped her with whatever she needed. Suzy was always there for her, as she was for so many, many others.
Reading all these tributes to Suzy reminds me of the experience of going anywhere in CR with Suzy: always, always somebody there (usually many people) would come up to her and say, “Hi!” and “Thank you” for helping me or my child or my niece or grandchild, etc. at Jane Boyd. Suzy, you had such an amazing impact on so many lives. You will be greatly missed just as you have been greatly loved and always will be.
Suzy meant so much to me. I loved Suzy with all my heart and soul. She treated me like a daughter. Suzy was everything to everybody. You are loved and will be missed by anyone who has entered the doors of Jane Boyd. I love you Suzy. Rest Peacefully In Heaven❤️
Suzy’s memory will live on through the lives she has impacted. May she rest in peace.
Thinking of you and your family as you go through this difficult time.
The leaves and branches represent the lives of families, friends, and children touched by Suzy.
With loving memories of “Suzy Beshears”,
We have so many memories of sports and community involvement with Jane Boyd, and Suzy was at the heart of it. With gratitude from us and on behalf of our children, Kate and Rob Hogg
With loving memories of Miss Suzy, we send thoughts of comfort and peace to your family.
I am 40 and (I have memory issues) when I saw her face I don’t remember anything specific, I just remember the happiness and safety she made me feel as a child at Jane Boyd. RIP, you are legendary 💜
Sending my sympathy to family. She was a great friend and I will miss her big voice, phone calls, lunch dates, her laugh and her friendship. We met way back in 1973 when Anthony and my daughter were in Jane Boyd preschool together. If you wanted your child in preschool you must attend Parent Group once a week. Several years later, we were both hired to work at the Community House. We came to know several directors and sat through many staff meetings. We shared lunch breaks, stories and prayers for each others kids and grandkids. When I’d ask Suzy how she was doing she’d always say “I’m hangin’ in there” and you know that she was. I will not forget Suzy. Lois Venzke
Suzy changed lives. We’ll always think of her with a BIG smile on our face & in our hearts. Our heartfelt sympathy to her loved ones. Forever missed
Trying to find the words to say how much having Suzy in my life and my family means to me but nothing seems right. We had 8 great years together at Jane Boyd and after we left Cedar Rapids, she continued to be apart of our lives. She was a dear friend and someone that could never be replaced. ( … Suzy was always around in my childhood, whether it was boys and girls club, basketball, softball, or running around the neighborhood. Suzy was always there and you could always count on her. She became more than just a friend to my family, she was family. As a child, my cousins and I used to press her about her age because she never changed and from the moment we met her. . . we knew she was an Angel. We called her our Angel. Then when I was 10, my family moved away. Did that stop her from being apart of our lives? No! She would always reach out, send gifts and cards. She would not let anyone be forgotten. Anytime I came home to visit, I always went to Suzy first! Now that I have moved back, I regret to say I have not checked in with her lately and for that my heart aches. I will forever cherish all you have done for me and been apart of in my life. You were always there and you always will be. Forever shine, I knew you were an Angel ) We love you Suzy. Rest peacefully – from the Jackson’s
From the Collins, Diggins, Ford, Prince, Sain family: Our deepest condolences to you and the entire family! We will miss you dearly.
Our deepest condolences to the Beshears family
I am thankful for Suzy and how she took care of my grandmother, Bernice. She was a very caring person who gave so much of herself for others betterment.
Damn! I did not know! Love and cherish this icon in our community. Rest easy, Suzy. Your work is done.
I always enjoyed visiting Suzy growing up and know she will be greatly missed by many. Sending our deepest condolences to her family and friends.
Ms. Suzy as my boys would call her was an amazing woman. She took my boys under her wing as she did for many children through her years. We are so blessed to have had her in our lives. She truly left a mark in this world. My heart goes out to her family. May memories provide comfort on the difficult days ahead.
Suzy will always be remembered for her work with Jane Boyd. She was my mom’s friend and Ms. Suzy was known to us neighborhood kiddos as the neighborhood mom – always loving, advocating, assisting, creating baseball teams and more. Her caring and generous heart was loving and she gave her all in everything she committed to do. Emmett and Anthony, family was her heart. To know her – is to love her influential soul. I’ll never ever forget the impact she made on me and our family. She always shared, “Never Give Up and Never Quit” Greatly loved and Greatly missed!
Suzy was a rock and community legend. Her work with youth and families is constantly bearing fruit. My son was in her baseball programs and she even persuaded my husband to coach 🙂 She had a genuine love for all kids and the neighborhood. Glad to have known her. Condolences to the family as you continue you your journey with such a special part missing. Peace and blessings!
Suzy was an beautiful friend very caring g lady. We shared a lot of good andbad memories together. She will alwaysbe here inmyheadt,,,,,,,,
I met suzy at Jane boyd and her and chicken brought me closer to their Jane boyd kids through my times of referring. She would pay me, but toward the end of all the seasons, her budget was cut, we got candy bars. She loved Jane boyd, those kids…she was always smiling! I just saw her not too long ago…she looked great, we smiled, said see u soon…..RIP my dear friend, suzy! Going to miss your smile and caring for all…I learned alot from you!
I had Suzy throughout my Jane Boyd years, and that place should have something in her name for her, because she was Jane Boyd. I remember Christmas time was the best, she let us all write down one thing we really wanted. I’ll always remember getting this silly bratz phone that was shaped like a big pair of lips lol. I was so excited, and whatever she did to make it happen for us she did. The lock-ins, field trips. Her love and care for others with the same “I ain’t taking no shit” tone lol. You will be missed and always loved. Even Honey got to meet you at church, and what a cycle that is.
I’d like to send my condolences to the family Suzy was a big part of me growing up and becoming the man I am today she worked with my father Damien Collins for years and I would always volunteer at Jane Boyd! Spent a lot of time talking to her getting advice laughing and just enjoying the work she did! May she test in heaven!