Susan Kay

Clark

Susan Kay Clark, age 78, of Washington, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at her residence, surrounded by her daughters and grandchildren while under hospice care.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home, with Rev. Rick Zickefoose officiating. Interment will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at the funeral home. Memorials have been established for the Washington County Genealogical Society. Online condolences may be sent for Susan’s family at www.jonesfh.com.

Susan (Suzie) was born on October 27, 1948, in Oakland, California, the daughter of Robert K. and Lovina (DeWitt) Clark. Growing up in a Navy family, she moved frequently throughout her childhood, experiencing life in many different places. She graduated from Arvada West High School in Colorado in 1966 and moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, following graduation to be closer to family.

Susan married James J. Grant Jr. in 1967, and together they welcomed two daughters, Laura and Dina. The couple later divorced. Susan continued her education by studying art at Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa, where she earned her associate degree in 1976.

While living in Creston, Susan and attending college she met and married Stan Carlson of Lenox, Iowa, and it was during this chapter of her life that she discovered a deep appreciation and love for farm life. Susan was an active lobbyist during the 80’s farm crisis. After years together with Stan, they separated but remained good friends. Susan spent a couple years in Ohio before returning to Cedar Rapids, where she lived for 12 years. She then found her dream and place to call her own when she purchased a farm in Washington, Iowa, where she spent her remaining years. Susan shared many meaningful years with her devoted partner, George Antolik, until his passing.

Following her retirement from a career with Iowa Workforce Development, Susan devoted more time to her many interests, particularly genealogy. She served as librarian of the Washington County Genealogical Society, where she successfully wrote grants for funding to build up the services offered. She also was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Mt Pleasant Chapter. She served on the Washington tourism board for a few years. Carol Wehr and Susan were also known as the ladies who decorated the roadside Christmas trees for many years. She also loved volunteering her time as a poll worker during elections.

Susan had a special gift for turning her interests and creativity into something beautiful. Her love of art, painting and antiques carried over into the way she cared for and developed her farm, creating a warm and welcoming homestead that reflected her personality and talents. She took great pride in her property, tending to its gardens, fruit trees, and many projects with both creativity and care. What began as a love of farm life grew into a place of beauty, productivity, and joy.

Her gardens and fruit trees were among her greatest pleasures. Susan loved watching things grow, nurturing her plants, and enjoying the rewards of each season. She delighted in sharing the abundance of her homestead with others, often sending family and friends home with fresh apples, peaches, and vegetables from her garden. Her generosity made the farm more than just a home; it was a place where her beloved children and grandchildren could enjoy the fruits of her labor and feel welcome, relax and have fun.

Susan was also an exceptionally talented baker. She will be fondly remembered for her beautiful custom birthday cakes, delicious homemade treats, and especially her annual Christmas candies, which became a treasured tradition. Baking was another way Susan expressed her creativity and love for others. Whether tending her gardens, working on a project around the farm, painting, or preparing something special in her kitchen, Susan found happiness in creating things that brought beauty and joy to those around her.

Above all, Susan will be remembered for the life she built with her own hands, the beauty she created through her creativity and hard work, and the generosity with which she shared what she loved. Her farm, gardens, fruit trees, and treasured family traditions will remain lasting reminders of a life lived with purpose, independence, and a deep appreciation for the simple pleasures of home.

She is survived by her daughters, Laura (Grant) Truchio and husband, Tom, of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and Dina Dotterweich and husband, Ken, of Monticello, Iowa; nine grandchildren: Ellie Truchio, Owen Thomas, Grant Thomas, Quinn Thomas, William Dotterweich, Lacie Heitmann, Lauren Hughes, Nathan Dotterweich, and Brandon Gumm; one great-granddaughter, Morgan Hughes; and brothers Harold Clark of California and Robert Clark of Iowa.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Connie Gumm; sister, Andrea Bartels; brother, John Clark; and partner, George Antolik.

The family would like to thank the University of Iowa Dialysis Washington team and fellow patients for their friendship and support over the several years. A special thanks to her generous and caring neighbors the Wehrs, McCalls, and Freels that became her surrogate family. Their support over the last few years allowed her to stay on her beloved farm until the end.