Obituary of Gayle C. Svatos

Gayle Cathryn Svatos, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at home in South Carolina, on March 9, 2026, surrounded by her loving family after an extended illness. She was 71 years old.

Gayle was born on May 24, 1954, to Helen (Olson) Andrews and John Andrews. She grew up in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, where her vibrant personality and many talents were evident from an early age. An excellent student, Gayle was deeply involved in school activities, participating in gymnastics, cheerleading, choir, and violin. For a time, she even brought school spirit to life as the beloved mascot of the Coon Rapids Cardinals. She later moved to Iowa City, Iowa, where she built both a career and a family that would become the center of her world. Gayle graduated at the top of her class from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in 1977 and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from the University of Iowa in 1979. A proud alumna, she remained a loyal Iowa Hawkeye fan throughout her life. Gayle began her career with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department in 1974 as a dispatcher and went on to serve the community for 33 dedicated years. Over the course of her distinguished career, she rose through the ranks to retire as Captain of the Johnson County Civil Division. Along the way, she served as a hostage negotiator, edited The Gold Star magazine, and taught at Civil School, sharing her knowledge and leadership with others. She later worked as a software tester at Tac10. During her years in Iowa City, she met the love of her life, Richard Svatos whom she wed in 1977. Together they raised their three daughters in a home filled with joy and affection. Gayle lived her life guided by a strong Catholic faith. While living in Iowa, she taught catechism classes and shared her faith with others. In 2014, she and Richard moved to Rock Hill, South Carolina, to be closer to their children and grandchildren, a role she treasured above all others. At the time of her passing, she was a devoted member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Gayle had a heart big enough to hold everyone she loved. She adored animals of all kinds, enjoyed cake decorating and creative projects, and created treasured memories by planning annual family road trips. She made lasting memories for her grandchildren through her beloved “Grandma Summer Camp,” and she rarely missed a sporting event, recital, or activity. Her grandchildren knew that Grandma would always be there cheering them on. A lifelong reader, Gayle especially loved curling up with a good mystery. She had a vivid imagination and even wrote children’s books inspired by the adventures and personalities of her beloved grandchildren.

She also had a generous spirit of service, volunteering her time at the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen and dental clinic. Even as she battled Alzheimer’s disease in her final years, Gayle’s joyful spirit remained. She kept her bubbly personality and wonderful sense of humor, often greeting loved ones by breaking into dance when they walked through the door. Her family is deeply grateful for the compassionate care she received from Kathy Lickteig, the Pineville Atrium Infusion Center, and Dr. Linsey Spence and her dedicated team. Gayle was preceded in death by her parents, John Andrews and Helen Andrews.

She is survived by her loving husband, Richard Svatos; her daughters, Meghanne Lickteig (Zachary) and their children Ava, Quincy, and Cameron; Amanda Wierzba (Jonathan) and their children Holin, Devon, and Nolan; and Pamela Vilderman (Edward) and their children Emilia and Erik. She is also survived by her sister Beth Cook (Leon) and her brother Brian Andrews. Gayle shared close bonds with many extended family members and had a special friendship with her sister-in-law, Becky Svatos.

A time celebrating Gayle’s life will be held on Saturday, June 27^, 2026, from 3 to 6 pm at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Gayle always had a generous spirit, in lieu of flowers please make a donation to a charity of your choice in Gayle’s name. In honor of Gayle’s joyful spirit, we kindly ask guests to avoid wearing black and instead wear something cheerful, pink was her favorite color, after all. We look forward to sharing cherished memories, laughter, and stories as we celebrate Gayle’s life together. Thank you for joining us in honoring her memory. To share a thought, memory or condolence with her family please visit Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service website @ www.gayandciha.com.

Her family finds comfort in knowing that her faith carried her home and that her love will continue to live on in the hearts of those who were blessed to know her.