Obituary of Susan Marie Goldsmith

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Susan Marie (Fleming) Goldsmith, 61, of Dyersville, passed away early on August 21, 2024, at Stonehill Care Center in Dubuque, after a six-year journey with breast cancer that had metastasized to her brain, skin, and several bones.

Visitation will be held from 3 – 7 p.m. Monday, August 26, 2024 at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville. Visitation will continue at the funeral home from 9 – 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 27, 2024 prior to the Mass of Christian Burial.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at St. Francis Xavier Basilica in Dyersville, celebrated by Sue’s brother, Fr. David Fleming, with Fr. Michael McAndrew and Fr. Chris Podhajsky co-celebrating. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery at a later date.

Sue was born on October 9, 1962, to Robert and Mary Ann Fleming, in Des Moines. She graduated from Dowling Catholic High School in 1981. Sue earned a B.A. in Education from the University of Northern Iowa in 1986, and M.A. in Education from Viterbo University in 2008.

Sue met her husband, Thomas Goldsmith, when she was a bridesmaid for his sister, Sue Miles. Despite his puka shell necklace, Sue “just knew” before the end of that weekend they would get married.  They married one year later on July 12, 1986, at Visitation Catholic Church in Des Moines.

Tom and Sue were blessed with two children—Ian, in 1989, and Hannah, in 1994—who were Sue’s greatest joys.  She also had a heart full of love for her granddaughter, Josephine Susan Goldsmith.

She loved being a teacher and taught at St. Joseph in Key West, St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville and Maquoketa Valley CSD in Delhi, Earlville, and Hopkinton. Before retiring in 2020, Sue spent 23 years at M.V., first as an associate, then Talented and Gifted instructor, and most recently, a fifth-grade teacher. M.V. was her “school family.”

Although she loved being in the classroom with her students and sharing a laugh with friends, Sue considered herself an introvert, often joking, “I’m one step away from being a hermit.” She most enjoyed spending time together with her family, sharing laughs and playing games.  Sue also valued having quiet time to read, having a hard time putting down a book once she began it, often finishing it in one sitting.

Sue is survived by her husband, Tom; children, Ian (and Jackie) Goldsmith of Atlanta, Ga. and Hannah (and Kevin) Goldmink of Cuba City, WI; her granddaughter Josephine,; mother, Mary Ann Fleming of Ankeny; siblings: Joe (Therese) Fleming of San Diego, Cal., Rev. David Fleming of Des Moines and Karen Fleming (Dave Richards) of Des Moines; in-laws: Cheryl (Gary) Gates of Hopkinton, Jeff (Pam) Goldsmith of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Bruce (Amy) Goldsmith of Earlville, Andy ‘Grover’ (Ellen) Goldsmith of Delhi, Sue (Joel) Miles of Hopkinton and Gary (Lana) Goldsmith of Iowa City; aunts and uncles: Linus ‘Butch’ Flick, Alice ‘Tudy’ Lockwood and Doyle DeVoe; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her dad, Bob; parents-in-law, Leo ‘Duff’ and Doris Goldsmith; nephew, Austin Goldsmith; grandparents, Marvin and Alma Fleming and Cletus and Laura Flick; aunts and uncles: Leota DeVoe, Joan and Vernal Thompson, Donald and Phyllis Flick, Madonna Flick and Donald Lockwood.

The family would like to thank all the staff at MercyOne Dubuque Cancer Center, especially Dr. Eric Engelman, the oncology nurses and staff and the Palliative Care team of Diane Rambousek and Kelly Skrivseth, for their compassionate care. Thanks also go to Hospice of Dubuque and the entire staff at Stonehill Care Center for their excellent care in the final life stage.  Special thanks goes to Kris Wilson, Sue Miles and Cheryl Gates for their exemplary “chauffeur services” to Sue’s many appointments; to Sue’s ‘Girlfriend Group” of Lynne Moser, Diane Sperfslage, Nancy Schlueter, Sandy Jaeger, Cathy Juran, Lisa Goedken, Sarah Goedken and Kate Lueken, who made sure Sue got out of her bubble and had lots of fun; and to everyone who visited, called, sent cards and lifted Sue up through prayer during her six-year journey.

In lieu of flowers or memorial items, Sue expressed her wish for donations to Maquoketa Valley Dollars for Scholars or St. Francis Xavier School Scholarship Fund.

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family and information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com.  Online condolences and memorials may be sent to Kramer Funeral Home, c/o Sue Goldsmith Family, 750 12^th Ave SW, Dyersville, IA  52040.