Suzanne "Sue" Ahrens, 83, of Grinnell, IA, passed peacefully on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at Everystep Kavanaugh House in Des Moines, IA after a series of cardiovascular-related issues.

A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 10 am, Saturday, July 20, at First Presbyterian Church of Grinnell, with Rev. Kirsten Klepfer officiating. A luncheon will be hosted at Buckley Dining Hall (Mayflower Community) immediately following the service. Burial will be held at Chester Cemetery, north of Grinnell, after the luncheon. Attendees are welcomed to wear bright colors in celebration of Sue's life.

Sue Ahrens' family also welcomes friends to join a "Midwest Goodbye" gathering to share stories and remembrances to be held at Buckley Dining Hall from 5 to 7 pm, Friday, July 19, with light refreshments. Buckley Dining Hall is located on the lower level of Buckley Hall, Mayflower Community, 619, Park Street, Grinnell, IA 50112. It is recommended to use the rear entrance off of the Mayflower Lane, alley access.

Sue was born August 9, 1940, in Omaha, NE, the daughter of Willard and Marjorie (Pratt) Verba. After a short time in Omaha, the family moved to Cedar Rapids, IA, where she graduated from Washington High School. Sue continued her education at Iowa State University where she met and married her first husband Richard "Dick" McDougal.

Dick, an Air Force pilot, and Sue were stationed at several posts and were blessed with their daughters Dawn and Wendy. Dick tragically died in a training flight on August 28, 1964, while the family was stationed in Okinawa. Sue and her girls moved back to the Cedar Rapids area where her parents resided and within the same state as their McDougal relatives.

Sue finished her degree at Coe College and began her teaching career in the Cedar Rapids School District teaching various elementary grades. Sue reconnected with an Iowa State and Air Force friend, Jim Ahrens. The two married in 1982 creating a new blended family: Sue's daughters Dawn and Wendy, and Jim's daughters Ame and Abi. That year Sue and Jim moved to Lexington, MO, where Sue taught kindergarten in the Lexington School District for 32 years.

In retirement, Sue devoted her time to community service, embodying a lifelong commitment to learning and teaching. Always willing to lend a hand, she volunteered for many organizations. In 2008, Sue and Jim moved to Grinnell and joined the Mayflower Community. While there she was active in the Mayflower Lyceum Program, a weekly event of education and entertainment. In addition, Sue was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Grinnell, the Grinnell UCC Congregational Church, and PEO.

Sue's life was devoted to family and nature. She loved camping, botany, birdwatching and, in particular, was a dog lover with a long line of furry "children" over the years. Sue also had a love of music. She could often be heard singing along to her favorite folk music from Peter, Paul and Mary, the Beatles, and the Limeliters. Sue loved Broadway showtunes and took her daughters to various live regional performances over the years. She was a devoted member in her church choirs for many years, and instilled her love for music in her daughters, chauffeuring them to weekly lessons and voluntarily carrying a heavy accordion around for a young daughter Dawn.

But her greatest joy in life was her family, and she cherished her title of "Grandma Sue" above all else. She and Jim spent countless hours with the grandchildren during the summers, taking them camping and on Elder Hostel adventures, attending soccer games, concerts and recitals. And her grandchildren also inherited her love of music. All four would serenade the Mayflower community in annual recitals at the Carmen Center on piano, cello, violin and trombone.

Sue enjoyed the family gatherings around the holidays. Anyone within a mile radius of the Ahrens house in Lexington or condo in Grinnell would have witnessed laughter, chatter, barking and the interesting aromas of the international meal the entire family enjoyed cooking together annually. Epic games of Canadian Rummy, Rummikub and Quiddler were favorite evening activities, win or lose. During Sue's time with the Mayflower community she also enjoyed Mahjong with various groups of friends and also the Saturday breakfast club, Tuesday club, and 100+ People Who Care.

As Sue's health journey neared its end, she was surrounded by her family: all 4 daughters and all 4 grandchildren, along with some of their significant others. She also cherished her visits with close family and friends, especially her McDougal relatives and friend of 66 years, Nola Edwards. In between hospital stays, Sue's "5th daughter" Debbie Johnson (an AFS student with whom Sue maintained close ties) and her husband Sam visited Grinnell. Although she was unable to travel to her granddaughter Lauren's wedding, she was there in spirit as a new grandson-in-law Sean was welcomed to the family.

Community was everything to Sue, and though her time ended sooner than expected, she joins her beloved parents, first husband Dick, dear friend Julie Ahrens, second husband Jim and many others in her new eternal life.

Sue is survived by her daughters: Dawn (Mike) Miller, Wendy McDougal, Ame (Brian) Krippner, Abi Ahrens (Eric Rathburn); her grandchildren: Aaron Miller, McKenna Miller, Lauren (Sean) McNamara and Megan Krippner; and her brother Jim Verba.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the PEO Educational Loan Fund, First Presbyterian Church of Grinnell, Jasper County Conservation - Sugar Creek Nature Preserve or the Mayflower Community Human Needs Endowment Fund. All can be mailed in care of Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.