Nancy Sue Easter, Suzie to all that knew her…
Born May 30, 1946 to James and Marie Horsey, the youngest of 6 children, Suzie enjoyed growing up on the family farm. She had a horse she loved to ride, Liz, enjoyed mushrooming, picking berries, playing euchre, metal detecting, and numerous gatherings with family and friends. Suzie married James Easter “Mike”, to his friends and family September 8th, 1968 and began their marriage heading off to Norfolk, Virginia where he was stationed in the US Navy as an Electronic Technician 2nd Class. She made many friends there and raised their dog, Tammy. They moved back to a corner on the family farm and lived in a mobile home for five years. And they decided that this was going to be their home, so they built a new home in 1974, where they have lived for the last 52 years. They have two children, Maria Dawn Gapen and James Michael Easter Jr., “Jamie” to his friends and family, and added to their family hosting through the AFS program in 1988-1989 their son Aaron Martinez and the next year, (as Aaron had enjoyed his year so much with the Easter’s) his brother Marco Martinez who lived with them under guardianship the following year.
Suzie made everyone feel at home and hosted many family and friend gatherings over the years, providing a great homemade meal and if you were lucky a freshly made cobbler from the wild berries she picked. The kitchen table hosted many a card game with her relatives and neighbors telling stories. She worked at Sheller Globe Corporation for 27 years, carpooling with family and neighbors. Once she retired she continued to be busy and enjoyed helping her husband with his business, as well as took on a part time job at the local Super 8, where the company sent her to the Mall of America to participate in the fastest bed making contest, which she won.
Suzie had a way of making everyone in her life feel special and welcomed. She loved her husband, children, her grandson, Clark and the visits with Aaron’ and Gladis and their children, Little Aaron and Ana Karen. She found time to do some fun things for herself, joining an intramural volleyball league, raising a variety of unusual chickens, donkeys, zebu and goats. Suzie and Mike enjoyed a special trip to meet Al Herrin a famous author and archery bow builder, and spent time with his family in Oklahoma and learned more about Cherokee Bows and Arrows in her interest of Jamie Jr.’s bow making business. Every person in her life shined in the light of her love and happiness and zest for life and living and doing. Blonde, freckled and blue eyed she enjoyed the simple pleasures and life on the farm. She was a doer and didn’t hesitate to help; once when a fire broke out in the Croton holler, she hopped right up on the fire truck to help hand out the hose.
She liked studying her stocks and using her computer, and her daughter, who moved to Alaska for her first professional job after college, the first email she received was from her Mom. Suzie made things special, surprising her daughter with a special birthday during her work lunch on more than one occasion with all the details, cake, flowers, balloons, freshly picked and peeled peaches.
Suzie was one to help others, opening her home and heart and thoughtful ways; an older neighbor that needed help getting to appointments, Uncle Raymond that stayed at her home at different times over the years while he was convalescing, and who she would regularly have over for dinner or stop over with a dish. She was there for her loved ones and was always the strong one, taking time to care for others.
Suzie was diagnosed with cancer during the start of the pandemic in Iowa and was fortunate enough to be able to make the most of and extend the length of time, fourteen additional months, living on her farm and with her family. She was stronger than ever one realized; and with her son, Jamie’s, attention and care, she remained hopeful throughout her journey. Mike and Suzie celebrated 52 years of marriage together, raising two children, Maria and Jamie, and Aaron and Marco and their families, and doting on her grandson Clark.
Suzie Easter, daughter of James and Marie Horsey, sister to Harold Horsey, Mae Horsey Conn, Tommy Horsey, Beverly Horsey Stevens, and Bonnie Horsey Cahill. Many thanks to all those who reached out and shared together with her laughter, time and stories, this was a difficult year that did not make the most opportunity to be able to spend time with those outside the house, she wanted to live all the way through the end and now realizing God has a special person up there riding her horse, visiting with family and loved ones, giving that special smile and love that she shared so whole heartedly to all those in her life.
Her body has been entrusted to Schmitz Funeral Homes for cremation.
No services will be held at this time.
A memorial has been established in her memory for the Donnellson Library.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com. Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements.
