Susan “Sue” Ruth Menz, age 76, passed away on December 27, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer, which she faced with her typical good nature. She was a resident of Westcliffe, Colorado for 12 years and was formerly a resident of Omaha, Nebraska. She spent the majority of her career as a computer programmer, starting out with punch cards and mainframe computers.
Sue (also known as “Grammy Sue” or “the Cookie Lady”) was born on February 25, 1948, to Bernhard Schmieder and Ruth (Wellner) in Ute, Iowa. Sue attended high school in Charter Oak, Iowa. On September 1, 1968, she married Brian Menz in Ute, Iowa after meeting in college at the University of Northern Iowa. Sue graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Mathematics, while raising her two children, Jeff and Kristi.
Sue’s love of the mountains began on a honeymoon trip to Rocky Mountain State Park and many subsequent summer camping trips. It eventually brought her to Westcliffe in her retirement, where she enjoyed daily hikes near her home. She also passed time by sewing quilts to donate to veteran’s organizations and homeless shelters, and baking for local fundraisers. She had a strong Christian faith, finding God everywhere in nature.
She is survived by her children: Jeff Menz of West Des Moines, Iowa, his wife, Jessica, and their children, Kaitlyn, Braden, and Isaac; Kristi Detweiler of Concord, Massachusetts, her husband, Sean, and their children, Carson and Alexa; her siblings: Bruce Schmieder, Joyce Lohoff, and Connie Doudy: and her ex-husband, Brian Menz. Her family finds comfort in her excitement to meet God in heaven, and to be reunited with those who preceded her in death, including her parents; and her brother, Anthony Schmieder.
A celebration of life will be announced and held, in Westcliffe, at a later date.
Sue’s kindness and generosity will be missed by all who knew her. Those wishing to pay it forward, as she so often did, can donate in her name to one of her favorite charities:
Mission Wolf, PO Box 1211, Westcliffe, Colorado 81252 (https://missionwolf.org), or to Patriotic Productions, 16213 Lamp Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68118 (https://www.patrioticproductions.org).
“Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy” – John Denver
Marsha Jividen
4 Jan 2025I remember Sue from high school, she graduated with my brother Rick Lane. I remember her well. My thoughts and prayers to her family and friends.
Sandy Sanderson
4 Jan 2025I am so sorry to hear of Sue’s passing. She was a neighbor of ours. My late husband, Vern and I always looked forward to her Christmas goodies. She was such a sweet lady with a good heart. She will be missed!
Connie DeCamp
4 Jan 2025Sue was a bright light to everyone who knew her. Quick to smile and quick to become your friend. I will miss you, Sue. Heaven has a new angel.
Cheryl Jenkins
4 Jan 2025We will miss Miss Sue. She was a regular at our restaurant and many times baked her wonderful treats for our customers to enjoy. She always had a smile on her face and we loved to sit and chat with her. Her visits were always a bright spot in our day.
Willie and Cheryl
Silver Cliff Mountain Inn
Kasia A. Stevens
5 Jan 2025Fremont Victory Quilters in Florence was one of the organizations that Sue donated quilts to. We place quilts on a table and the veterans that are awarded a quilt get to pick their quilt. They always picked Sue’s flag quilts. We were glad to have her as a member. Sweet travels dear lady.
Fremont Victory Quilters
Kasia A. Stevens
5 Jan 2025Sue donated quilts to Fremont Victory Quilters in Florence who honor veterans and first responders. The veterans always picked her flag quilts first to take home with them. She was very generous and a kind woman. She will be missed by all.
Jim Jurgens & Nancy Keating Jurgens
9 Jan 2025I was saddened to hear about Susan’s passing. Our whole family has been friends since our dads used to bowl together . Sue was 2 yrs older than me but we were all friends . You all have my deepest sympathy , love hugs and prayers. She was always so kind and caring . May she rest in peace. God Bless all of her family and friends.
Arthur Gerard Michael von Boennighausen
7 Feb 2025Friends:
Sue rented our Guest Haus for over a year…
I remember teaching her Boyle’s Law that is about how temperature affects the pressure of a propane tank…
Sue often went for walks with our Chesaoeake while at the Guest Haus but told me I was too fat and old to go along… ha! ha!
Thinking Allowed…:
Arthur
Janine Waldrop
12 Feb 2025My sincere sympathy to Susan’s family and all of the Schmieder family. I have such fond memories of growing up as neighbors, bus buddies, our Dad’s being good friends and bowling buddies. So many good memories of Susan’s kindness to all. Janine Creese Waldrop
Nancy & Herman Rosburg - Charter Oak
13 Feb 2025Sympathy to all of Susan’s family. I, Nancy, did not know her personally, but did know her parents and a couple of her siblings after marrying a Charter Oak guy, Herman Rosburg. Susan was quite a bit younger than he, but her brother, Bruce, worked for him, doing construction work. She sounds like a very caring person who will be dearly missed by her community as well as her family.