Maria DeJesus “Susie” Reinhardt

Maria DeJesus “Susie” Reinhardt

Cedar Rapids

Maria DeJesus “Susie” Reinhardt, 91, a pillar of the Cedar Rapids Mexican Community, passed away Jan. 23, 2023. Visitation: 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. A private family funeral service will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Inurnment: Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories Mausoleum.

Prior to Susie’s birth, her parents immigrated to Cedar Rapids from Mexico. Susie was born on April 1, 1931, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph and Consuelo “Ma” (Mendoza) Arce. She grew up in the Little Mexico area of Cedar Rapids. Susie graduated from McKinley High School in Cedar Rapids in 1949. She married Frances “Ike” Barker in 1952 and three children were born to this union. They were later divorced. Over the years Susie worked at National Oats, Iowa Electric Light and Power, and Collins Radio, later Rockwell Collins as an office administrator. At Rockwell, she met the love of her and was united in marriage to Marion Reinhardt on September 12, 1981, in Marion, Iowa. They were happily married for over 41 years. Susie loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren greatly and was a second mother to many. She enjoyed shopping for clothes and shoes, dancing, traveling and cooking. Susie helped many Hispanic families that moved to the area. She helped them get settled, find jobs and homes. She also assisted many as a Spanish interpreter. All of this she did from the goodness of her heart and never took money for her services. Susie was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. She was also a founding member of the Los Amigos Club.

Survivors include her husband, Marion of Cedar Rapids; children, Tom (Rebecca) Barker of Cedar Rapids, Pam Davis of Simi Valley, Calif., and Charlotte (Marty) Hoy of Robins; stepdaughter, Kathryn (Marc) Kimbrell of Sedalia, Mo.; step-son-in-law, Brent Hagist of Iowa City; sister, Becky Harpster of Palm Desert, Calif.; brother-in-law, Richard (Cherie) Reinhardt of Denver, Colo.; sister-in-law, Dolores (Joe) Rogers of Big Buffalo, Ga.; 12 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death were her parents, stepdaughter Mary Hagist, sister Carmen Weed, brothers Joseph Arce and Jimmy Arce, and parents-in-law Lynden and Holda Reinhardt.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Keystone Cedars and the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy for the exceptional care and support given to Susie.

Online condolences are welcome at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.