Susan Ipsen

Susan Kay Ipsen was born in Ida Grove, Iowa, on October 29, 1951, the daughter of Werner and Cathrine Iversen Ipsen. She was baptized at the Friedens Evangelical and Reformed Church in Schleswig, Iowa on April 27, 1952. She passed away on April 14, 2011, at the Maple Crest Care Center in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 59.
Susie was the eighth of Werner and Cathrines fifteen children. Born with Down syndrome, she was raised at home with her parents and siblings in Schleswig, Iowa. She attended kindergarten at Schleswig Public Schools. She then attended a county school program for disabled children held in a country school outside of Schleswig where she learned to read, write, do math and many other basics. In 1978, she became a client of the Western Iowa Sheltered Workshop (now called WESCO Industries) in Denison where she was able to work and earn a small income as well as make new friends and participate in many activities. She became a residential WESCO client in 1995, living in the Regency Court and Camelot facilities, and attended WESCO Adult Day services. She lived in the Denison Care Center before moving to Omahas Maple Crest Care Center where she lived for over four years.
Susie touched the lives of everyone she met with her infectious smile and loving heart. She called everyone her "buddy" and her "favorite" and always had a big hug to share. She certainly made everyone feel special when she said your name with an exclamation point, as if she couldnt be happier to see you. Many families in the Schleswig area also remember Susie from all the time she spent at the swimming pool. She enjoyed being with family and friends, loved music and dancing, bowling, playing Bingo and 31, and had an affinity for collecting paper, magazines and Sharpie markers.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Arthur; one brother-in-law, John; and one great niece, Briara. She will forever be remembered by her thirteen siblings and in-laws: Bob and his wife, Betty; Carol; Gary and his wife, Peg; Lila; Diane; Ed and his wife, Sheila; Patty and her husband, Eddie; Doris and her husband, Frank; David and his wife, Georgia; Steve; Marc and his wife, Jil; Deb and her husband, Jim; and Nancy and her husband, Greg; as well as aunts and an uncle, nieces and nephews, great- nieces and nephews; cousins; and all who knew her.