Susan Mary Hirvela

Susan Mary Hirvela

Cedar Rapids

Susan Mary Hirvela, 88, passed away of natural causes on June 8, 2023, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Susan was born in Janesville, Wis., on April 3, 1935, to John E. and Wava L. (Roglitz) Schmidley. She attended St. Mary’s grade school and high school in Mt. Clemens, Mich., and graduated from the University of Detroit with a bachelor of science degree in education. Susan played basketball throughout high school and college. After graduating, she taught grade school in Roseville, Michigan before marrying Air Force Lt. Robert Hirvela and moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1959. Upon receiving a teaching certificate from the University of Iowa, she taught third grade at Noelridge Elementary for five years and substituted in the Cedar Rapids School District for 10 years.

She was very passionate and steadfast about her many causes, both political and civil, and had a big heart for helping the community and those in need. Some of the ways she donated her time included: volunteering at the Foundation 2 Youth Shelter, a Domestic Violence Hotline, the American Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop, Tanager Treasures, teaching CCD classes at St. Pius X, and also as a sponsor of several children in need. She loved her cats, reading books, cheering on her Hawkeyes and tending to her plants and roses.

Susan is survived by her husband, Robert of Cedar Rapids; their three sons, David of Iowa City, Mike and Tracy (Stoffel) of Cedar Rapids, and Brian and Jennifer (Coffey) of Pittsburgh, Pa. Her cousin, Cathy, is the last surviving Roglitz. Robert’s sister, Helen, and her daughter live in Georgia.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents and her only sister, Patricia, who passed on Aug. 15, 2018, in Romeo, Mich.

The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, staff and clergy at Mercy Medical Center, Cottage Grove Place, Cedar Memorial, and St. Pius X for their care and support during this difficult time.

Susan will be buried at Forest Hills Cemetery in Houghton, Mich. Her funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 1, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids.

Per her wishes, offerings can be made to SAINT Rescue & Adoption Center or any pet rescue of your choice.