Virginia "Susie" Gress

Virginia "Susie" L. Gress, 81, of Blue Springs, MO, formerly of Waukon, IA, died Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Ignite Nursing Home in Blue Springs, MO. Graveside services will be held Monday, August 17th, at 1:00 PM at Salem Cemetery in rural Waukon, with Larry Gelo officiating. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Virginia “Susie” Lea Gress was born April 13, 1945, in Leesville, LA, the daughter of James Isaac and Lee (Dixon) Brooks. She grew up in Anacoco, LA, where she graduated high school. She met a young soldier named Raymond “Ed” Edward Gress, Jr. stationed in Fort Polk, LA, and on June 16, 1968, they married in Anacoco. They moved to Shreveport, LA, and were members of South Acres Baptist and Rose Park Baptist Church. Eventually, they returned to Ed’s hometown of Waukon, IA, living in Ludlow Township and becoming members of First Baptist Church.

Susie was a dedicated homemaker for Ed and their children. She did a lot of canning and was a wonderful cook. Being with family and friends was the thing she enjoyed most in the world.

She is survived by her two children: Raymond Edward (Tori) Gress, III, of Monona, IA, and Laura Lea (Paul) Wright of Lafayette, LA; grandchildren: Cody (Kayley) Wright, Rae Anna Gebhardt, Tyler Gress, Melita (Tyler) Andreae, Kaleb (Bobbi) Gress, Chasity Wright, Heather Schissel, and Alicia (Matt) Cahoon; 19 great-grandchildren with one on the way; and her sister Lois Makee.

Susie was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ed in 2022; her sisters: Charleen Moore, Bertie Brooks, Faye Harris, and Mononah Carroll; and her brothers: Ray, J.W., Joe, and Jack Brooks.

Casketbearers are Cody Wright, Tyler Gress, Tyler Andreae, and Bryan Waters.