Obituary of Vilda Lausen Sutherlin

Vilda Sutherlin, 98, died Monday, December 16, 2024, in Iowa City. When she passed she was with her granddaughters and in the days prior, she spent time with dear friends and two of her great-grandchildren. 

Vilda Irene Lausen was born August 21, 1926, in Cedar County, Iowa to parents Henry H. Lausen and Luella E. Kintzel. Vilda graduated from Tipton High School in May 1944. Vilda worked for Blackhawn Hotel Co, City Bakery, Lausen’s Fine Foods and Iowa State Bank.

Vilda was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and served on the church council, taught Sunday school, and taught vacation church school. She was a member of Gloria Dei Women and served in many capacities including as church historian.

Vilda was a member of the TTT Society and Chapter KZ PEO Mercy Hospital Guild where she served as an officer. She was a docent at Old Capitol Museum and in 2000 was awarded the Governor’s Volunteer Award for outstanding service to the State of Iowa.

Vilda married Robert Dale Sutherlin on January 29, 1951.  He was the love of her life and they enjoyed fifty years of children, grandchildren, travel, and Iowa football games.  Vilda was preceded in death by her husband Bob, son Eric Dale Sutherlin, daughter Martha Sutherlin Martin, brother Verne Lausen, and sister Arleen Deacon.

She is survived by her son-in-law, Todd Martin; granddaughters, Alyssa Martin Raine and Brittany Martin Graunke, and their husbands Burke Raine and Jerry Graunke, and her five great-grandchildren, Robert Sutherlin Raine, Vivienne Leah Raine, Jackson Frederick Raine, Emmeline Dale Graunke, and Dean Rogers Graunke.

Vilda was known for her deep aptitude to care for others, her joyous smile and her resolute character. One of her favorite things was writing and receiving letters from loved ones, a skill she passed on to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was loved and adored by countless friends and her family. As she said in the days before passing, “it has been a delight”.

Services will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on Saturday, December 21th, at 1:30pm. With a time of fellowship to follow. 

Memorials may be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.