Susan Ann Eriksen

The worldly life of Susan Ann Eriksen (Yankovich) ended when the angels of heaven called her home on December 24, 2016. Susan died at her home in Olathe, Kansas of natural causes after decades of battling cancers and illnesses. Susan was born on September 17, 1939 in Edgewood, Iowa at the home of her maternal Grandparents, Cora and Irv Chapman. She was the first born of the seven children of Mike and Elinor Yankey of Mason City, Iowa. Susan's relationship with her parents was strong until their deaths, even though she lived in many states outside of Iowa. She was known for her many brief visits to Mason City to be with her parents, whom she loved dearly.

Susan was blessed with three children, Mark, Mona, and Billy. She enjoyed attending all of their school activities and encouraged them to behave and do well in school. She believed in structure and discipline in her parenting as a way to build strong character in her children. She gave them all the luxuries of life (including hard boiled eggs and fruit for breakfast every morning) while she was raising them. She continued to love and care for them all her life. In later years, Susan and her family found much humor in the teenage antics that her children experienced. Susan was proud that they all graduated from college and were successful in their careers as adults. She cherished her children and their families and considered them to be the greatest gift of her life.

Susan grew up attending Wesley United Methodist church, just two blocks from her childhood home and was a Christian her entire life. She spoke often of attending a Billy Graham Revival, where she fully realized the importance of her faith in Jesus and the power of pray. She faithfully prayed for her family every night.

Susan developed a strong love and bond with animals at a young age. As a girl, she brought home stray cats from the railroad tracks near her home in Mason City. Her mother learned to tolerate cats because Susan loved them so much. Susan's many cats were an amazing part of her life. She groomed them one by one each morning and insisted that they each have their own set of glass bowls to eat and drink from. Over the years, she also had many dogs that she loved; one was even considered to be a wolf.

Susan graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Education. Later in life, she completed graduate studies in Business Technology and Business Technology Management. Susan had a brilliant mind and was a genius in the world of technology. She worked all over the United States as an IT Project Manager for several of the country's largest banks, insurance companies and financial institutions. She also taught in many colleges as a math instructor. She continued to work almost until the day she died.

While living in Ankeny, Iowa with her family, a tornado hit Susan's home in the 1970's. Her first instinct was to call her father for help and he came immediately. He told her, "Difficult things we'll take care of immediately. Impossible things will take a little longer." Her home was restored and life went on.

Susan loved her kitchen and was an excellent cook. Being a cleaning fanatic, she diligently bleached the counters and floors every day. She was also known to bring Lysol and white gloves with her whenever she traveled! She loved baking bread and eating vanilla ice cream every night while watching the news and Blue Bloods.

Susan was known for her sense of fashion and style. She always wore her jeans pressed perfectly, her workout outfits coordinated and her eyeliner thick and dark!

Being the daughter of a car salesman, Susan had an affinity for cars. Some of her favorites were her Grand Torino and her Nissan Z. She liked to drive hard and fast with the pretense of being in control!

During her later years, Susan enrolled at Iowa State University to study organic farming. She dreamed of buying a plot of the rich soils of Iowa and growing food to improve her health.

Susan was devastated when her daughter, Mona Lyn Lee, passed away in 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer. She lovingly adopted Mona's cats, Mellow and Spot and worried about them because she felt they missed Mona so much. Susan never got over the grief she felt from this loss.

Susan is survived by her two sons, Mark (Misty) Lee and Dr. William Lee; her 12 grandchildren; Jamie (Marcus) Iwig, Andrew (Amie) Lee, Lindsay (Bryce) Boehm, Tara (Joe) Yoder, Katie(Evan) Knight, Henry Lee, Jake Lee, Nick Lee, Sam Lee, Jack Lee, Dakota Herr, and Garrett Herr; and her 8 great grandchildren; Ryan, Jackson and Everly Iwig, Blythe and Bennett Lee, Lahna, Bowen and Elijah Boehm.

Susan is also survived by her siblings, Mahria Thompson, Rita (Alberto Delhazio) Pishvaian, Dr. Jon (Barb) Yankey, Liz (Mike) Austin, and Pete Yankovich. Susan also had many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. Susan is blessed with a legacy of family.

Susan was proceeded in death by her daughter, Mona; her brother, Mike Yankovich, her parents, Mike and Elinor Yankey and her nephew, Jubal Thompson.

A celebration of Susan's life is scheduled for January 6, 2017 at The Ankeny Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts should be directed to your local Animal Rescue League.