Emilie Elizabeth (Bena) Suchomel

Emilie Elizabeth (Bena) Suchomel

Solon

Emilie Elizabeth (Bena) Suchomel, 101, of Solon, passed away October 3, 2025, at Cedar Manor Nursing Home in Tipton.

She was born June 2, 1924, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Elizabeth (Makovsky) Bena and Anthony Thomas Bena. Emilie graduated from McKinley High School in 1941. On October 5, 1944, she was united in marriage to Bernard John “Bernie” Suchomel at Immaculate Conception Church in Cedar Rapids. She was a devoted Catholic and longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tipton.

Emilie was a hard-working farmwife and mother. She received her Quad City Times Bix 7-mile road race 20-year participant award in 1994, also earning first place in the 70+ age bracket. She mowed her yard with a push mower for decades—a quiet testament to her strength and independence.

Emilie and Bernie had four children: Peg, Patricia, Gary, and Tom. Bernie passed in February 1986, followed by their daughter Patricia in June of the same year. Emilie cared deeply for her family and remained closely connected to them throughout her life.

She is survived by her daughter, Peg Gade of West Branch; sons, Gary (Judy) Suchomel and Tom (Sue) Suchomel, both of West Branch; half-sister, Olga McNamara of Anamosa; 11 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bernard; daughter, Patricia Fankhauser; and son-in-law, Mike Gade.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Fry Funeral Home in Tipton. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow the service at Fry’s, prior to burial at St. Bridget’s Cemetery, 2136 St. Bridget’s Rd NE, Solon, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Cedar Manor Nursing Home in Tipton or Camp Courageous in Monticello.

Emilie and Bernie’s headstone bears a heart with “Bernie” and “Emmy” etched in stone. They are reunited once again.