James Francis Sueppel
SUEPPEL, TEEFY, WIERMAN, YODER, WILLIAMS, SIKORA
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 1/29/2024 at 05:41:15
James Francis Sueppel, 87 died on December 4, at The Bird House, after a long battle with emphysema/COPD. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 11 from 4-6 PM at Lensing Funeral & Cremation in Iowa City with a rosary at 5:30 PM. A mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City, with lunch in the basement to follow. Private inurnment will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery with military honor accorded by local American Legion’s. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pulmonary Rehabilitation via The University of Iowa Foundation, The Bird House, Hospice of Johnson County, or St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Iowa City, IA.
Jim was born on February 11, 1936, in Iowa City, IA to John F. Sueppel and Margaret (Teefy) Sueppel. Jim was a fourth generation Iowan and the youngest of five siblings, Margaret Mary Wierman, Patricia Yoder, John J. Sueppel, and George Sueppel—all predeceased. Jim graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1955 where he played basketball and was first noticed by Carralee--when he hit a half-court shot at the Field House—where Iowa’s state high school basketball tournaments were held. Jim served in the U.S. Army from 1957-1959. He trained in San Antonio, TX with his cousin Bob. Jim was eventually stationed in Germany where he served as a Medic.
Jim returned to Iowa City and married Carralee Williams on July 2, 1960, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Jim and Carralee lived in a house they built in Fair Meadows, before they moved to a farmhouse near Old Man’s Creek southwest of Iowa City. Jim and Carralee had a large collection of records, including Louis Armstrong, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin. Jim and Carralee enjoyed dancing the jitterbug.
Jim and Carralee enjoyed season tickets to Iowa Football and Men’s Basketball games starting in the 1960’s. On occasion, their Hawkeye spirit took them on the road with friends. Jim listened, with his family, to the away games on the radio and turned off the sound on the television. For several years, Jim and Carralee enjoyed attending the Amana V.I.P. Golf Tournament as his Father’s Day gift. Jim listened to his las Hawkeye games women's basketball and Iowa Football on December 2.
Jim earned a certificate in alcohol and drug abuse counseling from the University of Iowa and found his vocation in counseling for many years. He was first employed at the Kathrine Mental Health Center in Terre Haute, IN 1973-1974, and later worked at MECCA and the VA Hospital in Iowa City. Thanks to the legislation backed by Iowa’s Senator Harold Hughes, and fellow U.S. senators, treatment for the illness of alcohol and drug abuse was supported by the federal government. For over 25 years, Jim and Carralee hosted a pre-Thanksgiving dinner for recovering individuals and their families, building a community of friendship, service, and support.
Jim was an idea person and worked in real estate for a few years. He brought a grocery store to the southside and had the idea of developing the eastside of Iowa City--an idea which was quickly seized by competitors. Jim eventually retired from Walmart where he worked for 7 years greeting fellow citizens of Iowa City.
Jim and Carralee traveled, in their Vista Cruiser station wagon, to visit relatives in Texas, Colorado, and California for summer vacations. As a couple, they visited nearly all 50 states. Jim and Carralee reforested several acres of trees along Phebe Creek. For many summers, Jim and Carralee were found either watering the trees or mowing around the trees. It is a beautiful legacy.
Jim quit smoking at age 53 and soon started pulmonary rehab at UIHC, with Dr. Jeffrey Wilson et al. He enjoyed pulmonary rehab three times a week, for 34 years. Jim also enjoyed the Tuesday Noon Kiwanis group and playing bridge during the week and on Sundays with friends. Jim played his last hand of cards, Euchre, with Carralee and daughters Stacy and Renee at The Bird House.
Jim will be greatly missed by his wife of 63 years, Carralee; four children, James R. (Kim) Sueppel of Cashton, WI, Renee Sueppel of Iowa City, Stephanie Sueppel of Iowa City, and Stacy (Scott) Sikora of Seattle, WA; nine grandchildren, Anna Sueppel, Matthew Sueppel, Jonathan Sueppel, Michael Sueppel, Jacob Sueppel, and Luke Sueppel; Benjamin Sikora, Maxwell Sikora, and Samuel Sikora; a sister-in-law, Valetta Sueppel of Cardiff by the Sea, CA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
The family would like to thank the medical community: Dr. Jeffrey Wilson, Dr. R. Zeitler, Dr. Amanda Hoffman, Rebecca Mischel, NP and Dr. Ekroth as well as the nurses and medical staff at The Bird House, at the UIHC's Pulmonary Rehab and UIHC Guest Services staff.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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