Virginia Sue Hines

Virginia Sue Hines, 79, passed away on Friday March 8, 2024 at Copper Shores Village. She was born March 22, 1944 in Des Moines, Iowa to parents, Charles and Bertha Hines.

Sue graduated from the last senior class of Altoona High School in 1962. She was a member of her local 4-H club and played 6 on 6 basketball. After graduation, she attended Grand View College and also became a cosmetologist. Her first job after college was with the Conservation Commission and then moved to working for the Polk County. Sue began her 37 year career with Broadlawns Medical Center, culminating as the head of payroll.

As a 40 year breast cancer survivor, Sue was an ardent volunteer. She was a long-time member of the Iowa Hospital Association Board and the American Business Women’s Association – Challenge Chapter. She was also the chair of the Broadlawns Gift Shop and on the Broadlawns Volunteer Board.

Sue’s love of all animals big and small led to a new passion in retirement where she began working at Blank Park Zoo. While running the train ride, she met a late in life companion, John. Sue and John enjoyed many meals together.

Sue enjoyed travelling all around the world, reading, and bowling in her weekly league. She made several ceramics and won 1st place on the Iowa State Fair for some of her creations. Sue collected shoes, frogs, elephants, and giraffes. She loved to go shopping and going out to brunch with her many friends and family.

Sue is survived by her sister, Anna Hines; nephews, Johnathn (Melanie) Clayton and Charles (Kristina) Steffes-Clayton; niece, Inga (Ron) Brown; great-niece and great-nephews, Lucas Clayton, Graham Steffes-Clayton, Atlas (Gina) Steffes-Clayton, Johnathn Thomas (Becca) Brown, and Madeleine Brown; great-great niece and nephew, Rowan-Elizabeth and Oliver-Kaide Brown; and a host of other beloved family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her half-sister, Shirley Hines; and her beloved Shih Tzu, Ginger.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 4th Street SW, Altoona.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Blank Park Zoo in loving memory of Sue.

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