Susan "Sue" Freese
Susan “Sue”’ K. Freese, 78, of Waukon died Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services were held Monday, December 22 at Waterville Lutheran Church with Pastor Laura Gentry officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon.
Susan Kay Freese was born May 28, 1947, in Waukon, the daughter of Kenneth and Lyla (Solberg) Smith. She grew up and attended school in Waukon. August 24, 1963, Sue married Roger H. Freese. Together they farmed for many years in the Waukon and Waterville areas. Throughout her life she worked at the Good Samaritan Center and the S&D Café, both in Waukon, Deco Products in Decorah, and cared for great-grandchildren.
Sue was Elvis Presley’s biggest fan, proudly visiting Graceland and attending many Elvis impersonators in the area. She enjoyed thrift shopping to find the best bargain, attending stock car races, and sharing coffee and conversation with friends. Traveling brought her great joy, and she recently enjoyed trips to both New Orleans and Branson. Sue enjoyed staying busy and, on the go, but most of all, she cherished time spent with her family and friends.
Sue is survived by her daughter, Pamela Mitchell (Allen Quandahl) of Waukon; three grandchildren: Nicole Schulte, Lindsey (Paul) Deason, and Loren (Ashley) Mitchell, all of Waterville; and nine great-grandchildren: Reid, Claire, and Jakob Schulte, Kaylin, Mitch, Nick and Will Deason, and Bexley and Witten Mitchell. She is also survived by her siblings: Dennis (Cindy) Smith of Monona, Randy (Pam) Smith, Fred (Geralyn) Smith, and Greg (Kristie) Smith, all of Waukon, and Peggy (Jim) Wilson of Prairie du Chien, WI; her sisters-in-law, Theresa Smith of Decorah, and Paula (Serge) Sisler of Anamosa; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roger; her parents, Kenneth and Lyla; an infant twin brother and sister; two brothers, Ronald and Roderick Smith; three sisters, Karen Donahue, Linda Sires, and Patty Gilman; a sister-in-law, JoAnn (Ervin) Tackman; a nephew, Brent Smith; and a great-nephew, Justin Cahoon.
Casketbearers were Dennis, Randy, Fred, and Greg Smith, Loren Mitchell, Paul Deason, Reid Schulte and Jakob Schulte.
Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.
