Memorial

Sale (Kaengsepp) Kuusik, 90, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 29th 2023 in her home at Keystone Cedars in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

Sale was born on October 4, 1932, in Tartu, Estonia. She grew up on a small dairy farm in Otepaa, Estonia with her father, Arno, mother, Linda, and younger brother, Tonu. During the war and at a young age in 1944, Sale and her family left their homeland and their long journey began “with a single step”. Eventually, Sale and her mother traveled across the world to Sydney, Australia. Sale attended business college and met her husband, Uno Kuusik, at a dance. They were married on May 25, 1957, a day before traveling to Canada. Sale and her husband lived in Montreal, Canada as newlyweds before then immigrating to Royal Oak, Michigan to raise their family. They were blessed with two children, Tina (Kuusik) Erb and Mark Kuusik. The family enjoyed spending time with friends and time on the water on Lake St. Clair. After raising her own children, Sale moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to be near her grandchildren.  

She spent 26 years in Cedar Rapids. As is core to her nature throughout her travels, Sale set about getting to know and enjoy the Cedar Rapids community.  She spent time volunteering at Mercy Hospital and other local organizations. Sale “Ema” was beloved by her family, friends, and those whose lives she touched around the world. 

Sale will be remembered by her children, Tina (James) Erb and Mark Kuusik. She loved each of her 3 grandchildren: Jessica Erb (Zach Schmitz), Tyler Erb and Trevor Erb. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arno and Linda (Inselberg) Kaengsepp, brother, Tonu Kaengsepp, stepfather, Oiva Mankio and dear husband, Uno Kuusik. A private family memorial will be held in her honor. 

Memorials may be given in her name to Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.