Susan Kay Cummings Obituary (1943

Susan Kay Cummings, 76, of Schertz, TX and formerly of Fairfield, IA passed away Friday, July 26, 2019 at the Northeast Baptist Hospital in San Antonio, TX. A Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 9, 2019 at the Mother Cabrini Catholic Church in Richland, IA with Father Nick Adam officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield, IA. Memorial contributions in Susan's honor may be directed to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital or to the family to be donated to a Humane Society in honor of her love of pets. Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com. Susan Kay Cummings was born January 1, 1943 in Ottumwa, IA to Harry and Jenny Courtney Bean. She grew up in Fairfield, where she attended school and graduated with the Fairfield High School Class of 1961. Upon graduation she enrolled at Iowa State University before transferring to AIB in Des Moines to complete her schooling. On November 30, 1963, in Fairfield, IA, Susan married James Cummings and began a journey together that lasted 55 years. Together they became loving parents to four children; Deb, Scott, Tina, and Cindy. Susan loved her job as a homemaker and mother, and always made time to volunteer. She loved the communities where she lived and worked as a community advocate to help improve and sustain the places she called home. In preparation of their retirement years, Susan and James moved to Texas in 2000 where she would spend the remainder of her time. When Susan wasn't volunteering, she enjoyed sewing, wood working, painting, and camping. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield, Mother Cabrini Catholic Church in Richland, and St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in New Braunfels, TX. Her list of volunteer groups and advocacy groups was extensive and included the Red Hat Society, Pekin Community Schools, League of Women Voters, GIA, Alligator Creek, and a New Braunfels Library Volunteer. While in Texas she served as director of the CASE (Citizens' Alliance for Smart Expansion). In this role she testified before the Sunset Commission of the Texas Legislature on behalf of CASE, as well as attending monthly and weekly meetings. Susan cared deeply for her family and the communities in which she lived. Her presence will be missed but her memory will be cherished by the many friends and family she leaves behind. Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Jenny Bean and her Stepfather, Paul Svacina. Left to share her story is her loving husband, James Cummings of Schertz, TX; four children, Deb (John) Schmitz of Maple Grove, MN, Scott Cummings (Wendy Dostal) of Cedar Rapids, IA, Tina (Song) Kim of Schertz, TX, and Cindy (Jason) Lemley of Coggon, IA; seven grandchildren, Olivia Schmitz, Isabelle Schmitz, Rhys Kim, Lauren Kim, Jonathan Lemley, Jenna Lemley, and James Lemley, as well as many extended family and friends.