Lieutenant Colonel (ret.) Laura “Laurie” Ann Langford Suchanek, 75, of Iowa City, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Thursday, October 15, 2026.

Laurie was born May 22, 1951, in Davenport, IA, at Mercy Hospital, the daughter of Thomas “Mike” Vincent and Verdene Agatha (Niebur) Langford. She was the second oldest of what would grow to include 11 Langford children. As a part of such a large, Catholic family, Laurie had an unshakeable love and commitment to family that she carried with her throughout her life. While growing up in Bettendorf, IA, Laurie could often be found helping out at her father’s grocery store, Royal Blue, or sharing her talents as an organist for the church at weekend services and weddings. A perfectionist from an early age, even rewriting entire school assignments onto a fresh page rather than allow them to be blemished with eraser marks, she excelled academically. She graduated from Assumption Catholic High School in 1969.

Following high school graduation, she was accepted into the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing (WRAIN) program. As a part of that program, she attended Creighton University for two years, subsequently attending the University of Maryland where, upon graduation in 1973, she received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Nurse Corps. She would eventually also receive her Masters Degree in Nursing from the University of Iowa.

After graduation in 1973, she spent a brief time at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Bethesda, MD, she was given two options from which to choose to spend her overseas time for the army – Germany or Honolulu, HI. Laurie had no trouble in choosing Honolulu, HI, and worked as a labor and delivery nurse at Tripler Army Hospital for two years. While in Hawaii, Laurie enjoyed visits from her parents, as well as her grandmother, whom she was not thrilled to learn had been hitchhiking rides around the island while she was at work. But even Hawaiian paradise could not compete with her desire to be near her family, so she retired from active duty and returned home to the mainland in 1978. Once back in Iowa, she entered the Army Reserves and joined the 73rd Combat Support Hospital – an Army Reserve unit in Cedar Rapids, IA. It was here that she would advance to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and ultimately retired as the Chief Nursing Officer of the 73rd combat support hospital reserve unit. Laurie was awarded two distinguished service medals for outstanding military service as a nurse.

In her civilian career, Laurie worked at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Initially a nurse on 3 West, an oncology and general medicine ward, she became a medical oncology nurse in 1979, transitioning to work in the clinic and chemotherapy suite. While at the University Hospital, Laurie met some of her best friends with whom she would remain close. She retired from the University in 2007 to begin work as a pharmaceutical salesperson for Genentech and Bristol-Myers Squibb. After a number of years traveling and working for the two pharmaceutical companies, Laurie returned to the University of Iowa to work as a nurse in the clinical research center around 2014. In 2016, she once again retired from the University and began working for the VA Medical Center in Iowa City, IA, as a medical oncology nurse in the chemotherapy suite. She retired from the VA in 2023. Laurie’s nursing career spanned 50+ years, a time she spent caring for others and always working to be a better nurse than the day before. Laurie strongly believed that a career in medicine required a commitment to lifelong learning, which fueled her own quest for knowledge that never ended.

Laurie married Gerry Suchanek in 1990 in Iowa City, IA. In 1993, they welcomed their beloved daughter, Catherine. Although the two later separated in 2001, Laurie often insisted to her daughter, “we have more fun without him anyway”, which was probably true. She never remarried. Her daughter was the center of her world. Whether on vacation, out shopping, going to the farmer’s market, or simply watching TV together, they were never pressed for something to talk about.

Laurie loved the Iowa Hawkeyes and attended countless football games – enjoying numerous games from the press box with friends. She was known for her love of shopping, especially at Von Maur, where she took great joy in purchasing gifts for those she cared about. She looked forward to her Taco Tuesday group and was renowned for bringing pie – her absolute favorite dessert – to every major family event and celebration. She always had fun trying her luck at the casino, as well as with scratch tickets and Powerball. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City, IA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas “Mike” Vincent and Verdene Agatha (Niebur) Langford; brother Mark Langford; sisters-in-law Trisha Langford and Tina Langford; brothers-in-law Don Kline and Randy Brodersen; close family friend, Nancy Kacere; cherished family pets Spike, Sandy, Meechie and Jax; and numerous friends close to her heart.

Laurie will be remembered as an exceptional nurse, a fiercely intelligent woman, a wonderful friend, a loving sister, a caring mother, someone who laughed loudly and often, and who was happiest when she was with her people.

She is survived by her daughter and only child, Catherine Suchanek (Joe Combs); her siblings Ellen Langford Kline, Mike (Marty) Langford, Marian Brodersen, Rose Langford, Joan (Dan) Bradley, Thomas Langford, Jim (Heather) Langford, Ed (Judy) Langford, Kerry (Chris) Love; longtime family friend, Ike Buster; her treasured cat Sophie; many nieces, nephews, extended family members and cherished friends.

Arrangements are being made by Halligan-McCabe-Devries Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Monday, October 26, 2026, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at Halligan-McCabe-Devries Funeral Home in Davenport, IA. Another visitation will be held the next morning, Tuesday, October 27, at 9:00 AM at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Davenport, IA, immediately followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 AM. She will be buried with full military honors at Rock Island National Cemetery in Rock Island, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the St. Anthony window.