Suzanne Aldretta Mitchell, nee Hoyt

Suzanne was known to close friends and family as "Sue" or "Nana" and was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa on December 16, 1918. Her brother, John, who survives her, was Suzanne's third year birthday present, being born on December 16, 1921. John was a thorn in her side as a child, but they grew to be the best of friends and she so loved her baby brother.

After graduation from Carroll High School in Carroll, Iowa, in 1935, Sue moved to Des Moines to attend Capital City Commercial College (4C's) and lived in long-gone St. Catherine's Hall. She met and married Taft Mitchell on April 1, 1944. Taft used to say, "I used to think she was the fool, but now, I'm not so sure." He would say that in fun of course.

To this union was born Terrence Allen Mitchell ("Terry") on December 27, 1945. Terry didn't want to wait until 1946, and was born almost 6 weeks early. A year and ten days later, along came Terry's sister, Claranne Hoyt Mitchell, now Claranne Petersen ("Kandi"). Taft had a 4-year-old son when Taft and Suzanne were married, Michael, whom she reared without prejudice. Terry and Kandi had no idea that Michael was a half-brother, until a nasty neighbor told them when they were teenagers. Michael predeceased Nana.

Kandi married Wayne McClaran, and to this union three children were born, Michele, Melissa and Charles ("Charlie"). Terry married Carol Humphrey and to this union was born Kelli Lynn Mitchell, now Kelli Stack.

Sue was actively involved in American Business Women's Association, and Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #89, and the 1918 Club. She loved her grandchildren. She loved to travel. She loved life.

After graduation from 4C's, she worked for Look Magazine, Pioneer Hybrid, and finally settled into her work at the Iowa-Des Moines National Bank, which later became Norwest Bank, and now finally Wells Fargo Bank. She worked for the Bank for over 30 years, and was a member of the 25-year club.

In 1991, Sue lost her beloved husband, and she threw herself into the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren, in the order of their birth are:

Amanda Logsdon, Shaun McClaran, Bryan York, Elizabeth McClaran, Kaylee Darr, Joshua McClaran, Connor Turner, Carlie McClaran, Ireland Cutler, and Kaitlyn Stack. There are also the following step-grandchildren: Craig Mikesell and Niki Petersen. All of whom were so very special to Nana.

Nana was indeed special. She will be missed by her business friends and most of all by her family.

Visitation shall be Monday, April 12, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Hamilton's Funeral Home on East 6th and Lyon Street, and services will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at Hamilton's, with interment at the Masonic Cemetery in Des Moines. Memorials may be made to Taylor Hospice House of Des Moines.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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