Jill Ann (Luckritz) Cousins, 66, passed away Monday, June 4, 2018, at her home in Marion, Iowa, after a battle with breast cancer. Being stubborn and hardheaded meant she wasn’t going without a fight. Body blows were landed on both sides. But in the end, the bad guy won. The Big C took down Mrs. C. A gathering to celebrate Jill’s life will be held from 12 - 4 p.m. Sunday, June 10, 2018, at The Legacy Center at Murdoch-Linwood, Cedar Rapids.
Jill was born on May 31, 1952, to Edwin and Maxine “Joyce” (Neumann) Luckritz in Clinton, Iowa. After graduating from Clinton High School she married Roger Cousins, a good ol’ boy from DeWitt, in 1973. They landed on their feet in Des Moines, Iowa, and this is where Jill started working the most underappreciated and thankless job in America: stay-at-home-mom. Being the best chauffeur, cook, drill sergeant, psychologist and event planner there could ever be to a house full of rugrats (and, yes, that includes Roger).
Jill was a passionate sports fan. From everything her kids or grandkids ever played to the Hawkeyes and Cubs. She loved it all. Even though she did go to bed during the rain delay and missed the Cubs winning the 2016 World Series. She couldn’t stomach the thought of them choking away another one. Boy, we’re glad she was wrong! She also enjoyed traveling and wandering the beaches of Marco Island in search of the perfect seashell.
She is survived by her husband of (almost) 45 years, Roger; children, Kara (Mike) Larson of Marion, Kory Cousins of Marion, Kristy (Derrick) Jellison of Cedar Rapids, and Kelly (Kim) Cousins of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Connor, Owen, Emma, Evan, Ender, Penelope and Mia; the 2016 World Series Champion Chicago Cubs; her father, Edwin; siblings, John (Paula) Luckritz and Jacie Turner; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Joyce; brother, Jeffrey; Cubs broadcaster, Harry Caray; and Black Dog star, Patrick Swayze.
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