Susan Bishop, 67, of Cedar Rapids, passed away unexpectedly on April 17, 2025, at Mercy Hospital. Visitation will be held from 4 ' 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids. Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on May 22, 2025, at Antioch Christian Church in Marion. Luncheon will follow the service and then burial at Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion. A livestream of the service will be available through Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services.
Susan was born on August 26, 1957, in San Pedro, California, to Junior 'J.R.' and Carol (Wittmaack) Richardson. As the eldest of her siblings, she naturally embraced a nurturing and leadership role from a young age. She worked alongside her father at Paramount Chevrolet, managing, purchasing, and finance. It was during that time she met the love of her life, William 'Bill' Bishop. They would have celebrated 44 years of marriage this month.
Susan and Bill were married on May 21, 1981, in Voorschoten, Netherlands, and raised their three daughters in Los Alamitos, California. In 1994, Bill's job transferred the family to Anamosa, Iowa. In 2010, they moved to Cedar Rapids to be closer to their grandchildren, with whom Susan was lovingly involved every day.
Susan loved her family with her whole heart. She made every holiday and birthday feel like Christmas'gathering everyone together, hosting with care, cooking beautiful meals, and showering her loved ones with thoughtful gifts. She deeply valued tradition, especially home-cooked meals around the table, with no phones'just presence and love.She also loved gardening'her yard stands as a living testament to the time and care she poured into it. Susan had a passion for genealogy and was remarkably gifted at uncovering family histories and reconnecting people with lost relatives. Her research helped many others find pieces of themselves, a reflection of both her intelligence and her generous spirit.
Susan is survived by her devoted husband, Bill; her daughters, Angela (Jason) Moore, Karen (Brian) Safley, and Laura (Abe) Holmes, all of Cedar Rapids; and her beloved grandchildren, Adam, Allison, and Alexis Moore; Addilyn Safley and Krissy Horton; and Levi Schamberger, Lilly, Jeshua, Abel, and Elsie Holmes. She is also survived by her siblings, Michelle Page, Rachelle Cochems, and James Richardson of California, Amanda Harris of New York, and Taylor and Aaron Brooks of California. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Rebecca and Lindsey Richardson; parents-in-law, William 'Chet' and Vera Bishop; and brother-in-law, John Cochems.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Isaac Newton Christian Academy, a school that held a special place in Susan's heart, to assist families with unpaid tuition'continuing her legacy of supporting others in times of need.
Please share your support and memories with Susan's family on her Tribute Wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under Obituaries.
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Cedar Rapids
I feel too young to not have my mom anymore. I will honor and treasure you always. Until I see you again. I love you mom.
I’m so sorry to hear of Susan’s passing. I used to work with her at J&P Cycles. She always had a smile on her face. RIP Susan!
Very unexpected. I was sad to hear of her passing. My heart goes out to each and every one of the family… I asked God to comfort you all in this time. Her faith and love for God I know was sincere. I admired her for that.
I knocked on Susans Door as we were aware the was living in the twin house of ours…….then last summer she contacted me that someone else knocked on her door and there was now a third house on the S E side of town…We thought what fun to have a summer party and go from house to house seeing what was done to each house. We never got that planned….the People in Hickory hills are even older than us…..and we have lived her since 1979…..we postponed doing this until everyones health issues were a step better….I was shocked this was the same Susan Bishop ….I knew she was from California and so glad I knocked on her door. Always knew about the house but never had courage to just knock on the door until one sunny day I just did….She was so welcoming and eager to learn about our houses and how different they both were ..then the excitement of a third house….such fun for both of us. She reached out to the third house as well…She is ten years older than our daughter who was born in 1967….just realize….so sorry for this loss to the family…..so very sorry.
Wishing you and your family comfort and peace during this time.
I can remember Sue as a young child. She was the most beautiful baby. She was chosen to be on a calendar for a milk company and they send Mom and Dad a copy of it but it was on a professional grade of paper. Later in life after mom and dad passed I had that calendar and I actually sent it to your mom and some other photos that had survived after so many years. I look at Sue’s photo you have posted and I still see that beautiful soul. Love and prayers for you all. Love Aunt Claudine