Susan Grothe

Susan Kay Hornby Grothe was born on Jan. 6, 1944 in Sioux City, Iowa. She passed away early morning Saturday, August 11, 2012 at her long-time home on Sherri Mar in Longmont. She was under the care of hospice for end-stage COPD, emphysema, and congestive heart failure. She arose like most mornings, wearing some of her favorite pajamas and a plaid hoodie, brewed a pot of coffee, got ready for her daily devotionals, but the Lord decided to take her home that day instead.

She was the daughter of Florence and Thayer Bowers Hornby, who served in the US Navy Seabees in World War II.

Susan is survived by her brother Thayer (Bud) Bowers Hornby Jr. and his wife Diana Hornby; eldest son Eric Braunger and wife Julie of Eugene, OR, who have three children and a granddaughter Justin, Megan, Austin, and Hadley; son Deron Grothe and wife Diane of Fort Collins, who have three children Jackson, Maxine, and Sammy,7; and son Sam Grothe and wife Krystyna of Frederick. Susan was preceded in death by sisters Mary Bonacci and JoAnne Hornby Asbra, and brother Gerald A. Hornby.

Susan was a graduate of East High School in Sioux City, Iowa. Susan’s jobs were numerous and very eclectic. She worked as a bank teller in Denver, when she met Alan Lee Grothe, the father of two of her sons, Deron and Sam. After marrying Alan, the two moved to Longmont, where she became a nurse’s assistant at Longmont United Hospital. She was a stay at home mom for several years raising her boys. In the mid-70s she went to work at the trendy clothing store Just Pants. She also did short stints working for St. Vrain Valley Homes, as well as a carpet store. Susan eventually entered the real-estate field and blossomed working for Key Realty. In her middle age, Susan worked for several years at the St. Vrain Valley School District as an auditor. As Susan wound down her stratified livelihood she dabbled at being a nail technician, and finished off as an auditor at Home Depot.

Susan was one of the founding members of Longmont’s Alcoholics Anonymous Triangle Club. This year she had picked up her 29 year chip and was going on 30 years of sobriety. She was also active for years in the mid-70s in the Jaycees. She was also active in the Colorado Dahlia Society, and even took “Prince of Show” for her arrangement at the 1998 Boulder County Fair.

Her friends and family describe her as a “matriarch,” “a mother they never had,” “a rock,” “an amazing woman,” “she was like a rainbow,” “god fearing,” “tough as nails,” “a great mom,” and “the most giving/loving person I know.” Susan also prided herself on bringing people, of all walks of life, to the Lord Jesus Christ.

A devout Christian, Susan attended several churches in Longmont and the Front Range area over the years, including Faith Baptist, Calvary Baptist, the Vineyard, New Creation, the Biker Church, Evangelical Free, Rocky Mountain Christian, and the Summit Foursquare Church. Susan enjoyed reading the Bible, having Bible studies with girlfriends, watching spiritual television programs, and reading prophetic and biblical scholars such as Flavious Josephus, Hal Lindsey, Tim LaHaye, Perry Stone, Rick Warren, and Billy Graham.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice in Susan’s honor.

Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15 at the Howe Mortuary Chapel with a reception to follow.