Suzanne “Sue” Barnes, age 82, of Denison, formerly of Audubon, passed away on Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison.
Suzanne Elanie Barnes, the daughter of Fred and Mildred (Hayden) Barnes, was born on September 11, 1943, in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1953, her family moved to Iowa, and she attended school in Shambaugh. Sue graduated from South Page Consolidated School in College Springs with the Class of 1961. She graduated from the State College of Iowa in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education.
She taught in Keokuk, Atlantic, and Staton before settling in Audubon in 1978. That same year, she earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Northwest Missouri State University. Sue taught Special Education in Audubon for 28 years, retiring in 2005. In retirement, Sue worked at Food Pride and the Good Neighbor Center.
Sue had a very caring heart and volunteered every chance she had, including as Chairman for Ragbrai in 2006, the American Red Cross Bloodmobile, and the Friendship Home. Sue served on the Board of Directors for Wesco Industries and the Community Players Community Theater. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon and found many ways to be active in the congregation. Sue loved to sing and was active in many choirs. Her involvement with the County Players Community Theater was vast, including acting and directing.
Above all else, her daughter, Teresa, whom she adopted at age 2, was most important to her, and the special love she had for her will never be forgotten.
Left to cherish Sue’s memory are her daughter, Teresa Barnes of Denison, and many friends. Preceding her in death were her parents, her sister, and her brother-in-law.
Memorial Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon, with Pastor Sheryl Puderbaugh officiating. A luncheon will follow in the church’s fellowship hall. Please no long faces, just celebrate and enjoy the memory of Sue.
Burial will be at a later date at the Butler Cemetery in Shambaugh.
The family will greet friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at the Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Sue’s memory to Wesco Industries Foundation, Country Players Community Theater, or the Suzanne Barnes Memorial Scholarship. They can be mailed in care of Schmidt Family Funeral Home to P.O. Box 201, Audubon, Iowa 50025.
