Susanne “Sue” Gretchen (Christie) Wulf

Susanne “Sue” Gretchen (Christie) Wulf

Cedar Rapids

The family of Susanne “Sue” Gretchen (Christie) Wulf, 80, announce with great sadness her passing on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, surrounded by her children. While we grieve deeply for what we have lost, we find peace in knowing that hers was a full life of love and happiness. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church on Friday, April 21, at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow at the Knights of Columbus 909 Hall from 1 to 4 p.m. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids. Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids is assisting the family.

Sue was born on Jan. 6, 1943, in the small community of Standish, Mich. She was the second daughter of eight children to Susanne (Brown) and Vincent Christie. With Sue living on a farm and being the second-oldest of six sisters, she worked alongside her father daily and earned the nickname “Sam” from her father.

After graduating from high school, she traveled to Kansas City, Mo., where she began flight attendant training at the Kansas City Technical Institute. While in school in Kansas City, she crossed paths in a park with the love of her life, Francis Carl Wulf. Sue and Francis married on June 8, 1963, and together created a large and loving family.

Sue was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, and she worked hard to make sure family celebrations were always valued memories. Taking care of her family was her greatest joy, and she leaves a legacy of love that consists of five children, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Family was the most important thing to Sue. She and Francis created wonderful memories for their family with holiday parties, campouts, family trips, Iowa State football tailgates, bowling events and, of course, many family trips to Las Vegas. Not to mention the many meals that were cooked and shared at their table.

While family was Sue’s biggest priority, she also held many jobs throughout her life. She was a baker for the Danish Maid Bakery, a school cafeteria cook and started her own daycare business, where she retired after 30 years. The job she loved most, however, was being the mother to her five children and a loving wife to her husband. Later, one of Sue’s favorite titles became “Grandma” and eventually, “Great-Grandma.” She always had a big, beautiful smile on her face when her children and grandchildren paid visits and told her about their latest life adventures.

Sue and Francis were active travelers, enjoying cross-country road trips, vacations on cruise ships and cruisin’ on summer nights in their red Trans Am with the T-top off while listening to the oldies and enjoying a couple of “travelers.”

She was very committed to her Catholic faith and enjoyed many church activities. Sue and Francis were devoted members of St. Matthew Parish and the Knights of Columbus 909.

Sue was preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, Francis Carl Wulf; and parents, Sue (Brown) and Vincent Christie.

Her memory will be cherished and kept alive by her loving children, Christine Schuster (Thomas) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and their children, Alyssa (Luis) Montero, Kristen (Chase) Lovett and Jackson Schuster; Jeffery Wulf (Theresa) of San Diego, Calif., and their children, Avery and Devon Wulf; Susanne Ruden (Roger) of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, and their children, Ryan (Courtney) Ruden, Haley (Christian) Rogers and Pete Ruden; Scott Wulf (Amy) of Chicago, Ill.; and Jayson Wulf (Amber) of Burlington, Iowa; five great-grandchildren, Jack, Hank and Skip Rogers; Lucia and Antonio Montero; five sisters; two brothers; and a host of nieces, nephews and other beloved friends and relatives.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Mercy.

Please share a memory of Sue at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.