Susan Renae (Ellis) Girres 1961-2021

ELLIS, GIRRES, CRONER

Posted By: Barry R Huntsinger (email)
Date: 6/3/2021 at 10:33:12

Susan Renae Girres, the youngest child of William and Ruth (Croner) Ellis Sr, was born on September 2, 1961, in Estherville, Iowa. She passed away at her home in rural Graettinger,Iowa on May 26, 2021 at the age of 59 years.

Sue attended Graettinger Schools, where she was the 1978 Homecoming Queen. During high school she loved participating in swing choir. Following high school graduation in 1979, she attended the University of Northwestern in St. Paul,Minnesota and later graduated from Iowa Lakes Community College. On March 30, 1984, she was united in marriage to William “Bill” Girres at Grandview Baptist Church in Estherville. The couple made their home in Graettinger. She worked at the Palo Alto County Extension office in Emmetsburg, Iowa for fifteen years. She then worked for Iowa Lakes Community College in the music department and ultimately in the library for fifteen years.

She was a lifelong member of Grandview Baptist Church in Estherville, where she genuinely enjoyed participating in the musical aspect of church. Music and performance were a great part of Sue’s life. In the past she has performed at Treasure Village and enjoyed playing musical instruments with her family. Sue loved spending time with her family and friends. Bill and Sue enjoyed taking many trips together and with their family. They also enjoyed vintage cars, especially her Ford Thunderbird “Baby Blue.” She will be remembered as a classy lady that was always happy and had a great laugh.

Sue is survived by her husband Bill Girres of Graettinger, her son Shane Girres, her step-children Brian (Sandy) Girres, Lisa (Dave) Chapman, and Shalene (Jeff) Naig, 13 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings Sally (Walter) Hovatter, Bill (Kim) Ellis, and Sondra (Dean) Nehring, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and her father-in-law and mother-in-law Arnold and Agnes Girres.

A funeral service was held Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at the Grandview Baptist Church in Estherville with interment at High Lake Cemetery at Wallingford, Iowa.

(Source: Henry-Olson Funeral Home, Estherville, Iowa.)