Susie Huss, age 71 of Lake View, IA, passed away on Saturday, February 13, 2021, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center in Des Moines, IA.
Leora Suzanne Brokaw was born on May 21, 1949, to parents Clark and Rose Brokaw. She was welcomed by an older brother and eight older sisters. The family later welcomed another child which made Susie an older sister, a title she loved.
In 1967, Susie met a young man named Jerry while waitressing. The weather was not ideal and he had a cool car so as luck would have it, she accepted his offer of a ride home. Little did she know it would be the first of many rides in cool cars with the love of her life. The couple married in November of that same year in Monticello, IA. Their union was blessed with three daughters: Lisa, Lynda, and Pam.
The family made their home in Lake View where they bought a local furniture store. Through the years they expanded that business and opened stores in Odebolt, IA, and Lake City, IA. Other business ventures included an arcade and upholstery shop. Susie also sold Avon for over 30 years. The two of them were members of the Lake View Commercial Club and Susie was on the Lake City Betterment Committee. She loved her community and was excited to see it grow and prosper over the years.
Susie loved to meet new people and do whatever she could when someone was in need. This led them to become licensed emergency foster parents, opening their home and time to seventeen different foster children over the years. Being the wife of an EMT who was on call a lot, as well as a mom of more than three most of the time, while owning and operating businesses was most definitely challenging but Susie always made it look easy. She was devoted to everything she took on and was always there to support whatever Jerry or the kids needed.
Susie loved to bake with her grandkids and great-grandkids. She also got great satisfaction when she won Wii bowling games she played against them, although they all claimed “grandma cheated!” She loved to Jet Ski on the lake and enjoyed traveling with her family and friends. Susie liked to shop, especially for her kids and grandkids, and she was always excited to find a good bargain. She collected Precious Moments figurines as well as teddy bears and was always looking to add to her collections. Susie enjoyed reading on her Kindle and especially liked listening to music, Toby Keith being her favorite.
Cars were always an interest Jerry and Susie shared. They restored many over the years. It wasn’t unusual for the two of them to race each other…Susie in her Corvette and Jerry in his.
She showed her family unconditional love and taught them to never judge others. Susie was loyal and always stood up for what she believed was right. Through all the ups and downs she continued to stay strong which taught her family to be strong and to never give up hope. Susie was their rock, their own beautiful warrior. She made sure her family knew the importance of even the small things in life like simply spending time together. Susie was an amazing wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma (she made sure there was always ice cream), and friend. Her family and friends meant the world to her. Her laugh, beautiful smile, and generous caring ways will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Left to honor her memory include her daughter Pam Huss-Brauckman; grandchildren: Krystal Brauckman (fiancé Dylan), Jake (Cassandra) Schachtner, Emily Gosnell, Zach Brauckman, and Lisa Brauckman; great-grandkids: Nevaeh, Kyler, and Brantley Schachtner, Kynlie and Lennox Gosnell; brother Tom (Jill) Brokaw; sisters: Neena (Paul) Petersen, Gerty (Lawrence) O'Leary, and Sandy Luensman; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
Susie was preceded in death by her husband Jerry; daughters Lisa Huss and Lynda Huss-Schachtner; son-in-law Jerry Brauckman; parents Clark and Rose Brokaw; sisters: Patricia Dauber, Milly Markman, Pearl Hansen, Nancy Frost, Betty Snyder, and Manita (Monty) Monsod; and long-time friend Mike Scott.