Service: 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, Unitarian-Universalist Society of Iowa City. Online condolences: www.lensingfuneral.com

MUSCATINE, Iowa — Suzanne Kleone Sarlette, 59, Muscatine, passed away Oct. 12, 2009, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Autism Society of America, www.autism-society.org

Suzanne was born and grew up in Morris, Minn. 

She was valedictorian of her high school class and earned a bachelor’s with high distinction from the University of Minnesota,  with a double major in math and physics. She later earned her master’s in computer science from St. Ambrose University in Davenport.

She was employed as a computer programmer- computer specialist for the U.S. Department of Defense, Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Ill., starting in 1974.

She married Gerald Pearson in 1989, and the couple moved to Muscatine at that time. Sue worked at the Arsenal until her retirement in 2000.

 Her hobbies included knitting, crocheting and needlepoint.

She was an avid birdwatcher and a voracious reader, and loved to work challenging logic puzzles.  She liked to listen to a wide variety of music of many genres, including classical, renaissance, jazz, and world music. 

After their retirement, she and her husband traveled the country with their Aliner camper, visiting state and national parks and monuments, attending various astronomy club “Star Parties,” bird watching events, and Aliner Owners Club conventions. 

She created and maintained the membership database for the Aliner Owner’s Club, and served as their national database manager. 

She was a member of many organizations, including the Aliner Owners Club, Iowa-Illinois Mensa, the Eastern Iowa Esperanto Society, Iowa City Bird Club, Popular Astronomy Club (Rock Island), and the Quad City Audubon Society. 

She often visited area nursing homes where she would read to residents, and call bingo games.

She is survived by her husband, Gerald Pearson of Muscatine; mother, Florence Sarlette of Morris; brother, Del Sarlette and wife, Carlene of Morris; brother, Marty Sarlette and wife, Brenda of Colorado Springs, Colo.; sister, Carol Dutcher and husband, Jack of Vallejo, Calif.; and three nephews, Peter and Steven Sarlette of Morris and Tony Sarlette of Colorado Springs, Colo. 

She was preceded in death by her father, Walter; her brother, Richard; and a nephew, Richard Olson.