Johanna C. (Suedbeck) McCurley

Johanna C. (Suedbeck) McCurley age 101 of Missouri Valley, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at Longview Nursing Home in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Johanna C. (Suedbeck) McCurley, the daughter of Fred and Cecilia Suedbeck, was born March 26, 1917 on a farm near Fairfax, South Dakota where she attended school. While growing up in South Dakota Johanna had the opportunity to work on an Indian Reservation where she gained an appreciation for Native Americans and their culture.

Johanna eventually moved to Sioux City, Iowa seeking employment. While in Sioux City Johanna met Victor McCurley, at a ballroom dance. Victor and Johanna enjoyed dancing and socializing in the Sioux City area until the outbreak of World War II on December 7, 1941. As a result of the war Victor and Johanna were married on December 31, 1941 and were together until Victor’s death in 2013 spending 62 years together.

Victor enlisted in the U.S. Navy and received basic training in Michigan. Johanna followed Victor to Michigan where she contributed to the war effort by obtaining employment in a tool factory. Johanna remained in Michigan throughout Victor’s training. Once her husband received his duty assignment Johanna returned to Sioux City where she was employed as a house keeper and child care provider for Wilbur Aalf of Aalf’s manufacturing.

Upon Victor’s discharge from the Navy at the end of WWII he returned to Sioux City where he and Johanna built a house, had a son, Larry and lived for several years. Victor and Johanna later moved to Brooklyn, New York where they had two more children, Hal and Victoria.

Missing the Midwest the McCurley family moved to Harrison County, Iowa where Mary was born. Johanna and her family lived a short time outside of Modale and later moved to a farm place near Magnolia where they raised their family.   Johanna has lived the last few years at Longview Nursing Home until her death.

Throughout her life Johanna worked several jobs including working on an Indian mission in South Dakota, a factory in Michigan, being a nanny for a family in Sioux City, IA. and housekeeper. Johanna was an avid reader, with a great deal of artistic talent which she expressed through her love of baking, crocheting, sewing, painting pictures and making beautiful wedding cakes. Johanna had a wonderful personality and sense of humor which will be missed by those who knew her. She also accumulated a great deal of knowledge and perception throughout her 101 years of life which she was willing to share to the benefit of those she loved. She was a woman of strong faith and will be missed by her family and friends.

Johanna is preceded in death by her parents, husband Victor, many sisters and an infant son, Victor Jr.

Survivors include children, Larry McCurley, Victoria (Douglas) Johnson, Hal (Peggy) McCurley, and Mary (Paul) Haverkamp. She has five grandchildren, three great grandchildren and another one due at the end of April.

Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Missouri Valley, Iowa.

The family would like to invite everyone to a time of lunch and fellowship at the church following the committal service at the cemetery.

 

 

In Loving Memory Of

 

Johanna C. McCurley

 

Born

March 26, 1917                              Fairfax, South Dakota

 

Entered Into Rest

January 2, 2019                              Missouri Valley, Iowa

 

Mass of Christian Burial

11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 5, 2019

St. Patrick’s Catholic Church

Missouri Valley, Iowa

 

Celebrant                      Father Raphael Masabakhwa

 

Organist                                                Lyle Waterhouse

 

Vocalist                                               Dana Haverkamp

 

Vocal Selection

“Ave Marie”

 

Casket Bearers

Michael Johnson                                 Nicholas Johnson

Douglas Johnson                                   Tom Haverkamp

 

Final Resting Place

Magnolia Catholic Cemetery ~ Magnolia, Iowa