Mary Margaret Sudbeck

SIOUX CITY-Mary Margaret Sudbeck, 89, of Sioux City, IA, passed peacefully in her sleep on the morning of May 9, 2019, at Holy Spirit Retirement Home.

Mary Margaret came into this world on May 21, 1929 in Laurel, NE, the daughter of James and Rose McGowen. She graduated from Cedar Catholic High School in 1947 and taught at the Tip Top Country School from 1947–1948. Before meeting her spouse, she worked as a bookkeeper for her uncle, Benny McGuirk. Mary Margaret married Duane Sudbeck on August 21, 1950, and the two remained united in marriage until Duane’s death in 2012. In 2000, they celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary with friends and family.

Mary Margaret was a longtime member of the Cathedral of the Epiphany Catholic Church, where she served on many committees and sang in the choir. Upon her death, she belonged to St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Throughout her life, she was a voracious volunteer, serving on the Board of Directors for the Birthright of Siouxland, the Blue Army, the Catholic Daughters of America, and the Carmel Board for the Carmelite Monastery. For many years, she helped her husband care for the grounds of Trinity Heights.

Mary Margaret was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt. Her strength and faith will be forever missed. She will be remembered for her smile; her infamous hugs; her unwavering generosity; her love of the Rosary; and her homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, and hot-and-cold chocolate cake. Her passionate cheerleading at sports games and motherly tending to her grandkids-bathing them, singing to them in her creaky wooden rocking chair-will always be special memories for her loved ones.

Survivors include four sons and nine daughters: Jim Sudbeck (Penny) of Burlington, IA; Jane Kirwan (Kevin) of Sioux City, IA; Therese Giorsetti (Phil) of Flagstaff, AZ; Tom Sudbeck (Annette) of Stafford, VA; Tim Sudbeck (Cindy) of Kingsley, IA; Bernadette Borgard (Matt) of Downers Grove, IL; Marie Possley (Tom) of Wheaton, IL; Maureen Shell (Greg) of Adel, IA; Margaret Picker (Randy) of Castle Rock, CO; Sarah Miller (Chuck) of Golden, CO; Mary Adams (Mickey) of Flagstaff, AZ; Rosemary Morrison (Greg) of Omaha, NE; and David Sudbeck (Laura) of Easley, SC. Mary Margaret is also survived by her sister, Sister Bernadette McGowen, of Yankton, SD; her daughter-in-law, Barb Sudbeck, of Tucson, AZ; forty-six grandchildren; and fifty-one great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Rose McGowen; her husband, Duane; two of her sons, Daniel and John; and her siblings, Catherine (Kitty Ann) Uhrich, Helen Sudbeck, and Sister Jane McGowen.

Public visitation will be on Wednesday, May 15, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with the family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. To honor Mary Margaret’s deep love for the Blessed Mother, the Catholic Daughters of America will lead a Rosary at 5:00 p.m.; a second Rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m.

A service for Mary Margaret will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 16 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Sioux City. Rev. David Alan Hemann will officiate. Nine of Mary Margaret’s grandsons-John Sudbeck, Caleb Kirwan, Joshua Sudbeck, Tyler Sudbeck, Daniel Borgard, Matt Possley, Aaron Shell, Red Miller, and Ethan Morrison-will serve as pallbearers.

Mary Margaret will be buried at Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City, IA.

Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mary Margaret’s name to St. Michael’s Catholic Church, to Trinity Heights Queen of Peace, or to Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools.