Susan Rae Mickles

Susan Rae Mickles, age 79, of Albia, IA, passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines, IA, surrounded by her loved ones. Susan was born on March 28, 1945, in East Moline, IL, to Raymond Edward and Mary Grace (Fuller) Miller. She and her family moved to Albia where she attended school and graduated with the Class of 1963. She later attended Indian Hills Community College taking classes in First Aide, Child Development, and Food Safety. On January 14, 1967, she was united in marriage to Jerry Gene Mickles at the Community of Christ Church in Albia. Susan and Jerry were blessed with 51 years of marriage prior to Jerry’s passing on September 2, 2019. Following high school, Susan worked at Big Smith Clothing Company. She later worked at BP, delivered Meals on Wheels for the Leisure Lounge, and worked at Wal-Mart. Susan’s most treasured job was being a mother, grandmother, and friend, raising her children, and babysitting her grandchildren and many other friends’ children. She was very nurturing and kind, was good to and accepting of everyone, and made everyone feel important. If you walked through Susan’s door, you became family. Susan enjoyed being outdoors, gardening, and canning. She also enjoyed playing card games, especially Phase 10, and Bingo. She was an excellent cook and baker, known for her potato salad, pasta salad, pineapple upside down cake, and cherry cheesecake. She loved to prepare food for gatherings and share meals with others. Susan was very talented with crafts of all sorts, including crocheting, embroidering, and making ceramics, such as nativity scenes and Christmas trees. Susan lived at Homestead in Albia for a period of time where she thoroughly enjoyed visiting with the other residents and staff. Above all else, Susan’s family was everything to her and she cherished all the time spent with them. Susan is survived by 3 children, Jerry Dale (Debbie) Mickles, Mary Jo Snider, and Suzanna (Matt) Keegel; 6 grandchildren, Libby (Brennan) Penner, Krista Jones, Haley Snider, Shayne Miller, Cooper Keegel, and Brooklynn Keegel; 3 great grandchildren, Eleanor Penner and Axton and Kohen Jones; a brother, Frank (Kay) Miller; and companion, Steve Yarkosky. Susan is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, good friends, and many others that have become family to her. Susan is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; 3 children, Shayne Patrick Mickles, Maryanna Sue Mickles, and Peggy Sue Miller; and a brother, Denis Miller. Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024, at First Family Church in Albia, with Susan’s family present to greet family and friends. A memorial service will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13, 2024, at First Family Church in Albia, with Brennan Penner officiating. A celebration dinner will follow services at the church. A private family burial will be held at Oak View Cemetery in Albia at a later date. An open memorial has been established to the family.

Susan Rae Mickles

March 28, 1945 - December 7, 2024