Susan Lynn Junge

Susan Lynn Junge, 57, of Cedar Rapids, passed away after a long struggle with cancer on Sunday, June 7, 2015. Susie was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on April 3, 1959 to Robert and Margueritte Junge. She attended Washington High School, and graduated from Aspen High School, Aspen, Colorado in 1977. She also attended Western State University in Gunnison, Colorado and the University of Iowa. Susie is survived by her mother as well as her brother and sister: Steven (Tris Dows) Junge and Juli (Jack) Junge Hardin, all of Cedar Rapids. Although she had no children of her own, she adored her nephew, Sutherland Junge (Felisha) and her nieces, Paige Junge, and Anna Hardin. Her great nieces and grandnephew, Ava, Gisella, and Dekker Junge also survive her. Her father preceded Susie in death. As a child Susie was one of the youngest people to survive open-heart surgery and was appointed Iowa Heart Princess by Governor Harold Hughes in 1964. Early in her teens, Susie discovered horses and the rest is history. She was a professional equestrian'raising, training and showing American Saddlebred horses. She won a World Championship in the Saddlebred five-gaited division in 1995. As a trainer and a licensed top-level judge, Susie traveled throughout the US and lived in Virginia, Alabama, Illinois, and in later years, Florida. She shared her love of horses with young people and adults throughout her career with her training. Susie took pride that several of her students went on to win world championships of their own. Susie was a compassionate human being who will be remembered for her beauty, sense of humor, and infectious laugh as well as her love of animals and work with rescue dogs. At Susie's request, there will be no services. Her family will honor Susie's memory later this summer in her beloved Aspen, Colorado. Rest in peace, Susie. Memorial contributions can be made in her name to Critter Crusaders: www.crittercrusaderscr.com