Susan K. Phipps

A Life Remembered…

Susan K. Phipps, age 74, passed from this life on September 3, 2016, at her home surrounded in love by her family.

Per Susan’s wishes her body has been cremated.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 9, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church in Fairfield. Reverend Joseph Phipps will be officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery following a luncheon at the church.

Visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 8, at the First Presbyterian Church. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Behner Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Women, Evergreen Cemetery, or the Fairfield Educational Foundation. Memorials and cards can be sent to: Sara Jorgensen, 1913 NE Lancaster Drive, Ankeny, IA 50021.

Susan was born to the late Lyman and Camilla (Dare) Evans on June 5, 1942, in Fairfield. She graduated from Fairfield High School and continued on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education from the University of Iowa, where she was a member of Alpha Phi Sorority and Scottish Highlanders. Susan taught Physical Education at Fairfield High School in the mid-1960s and continued working as a substitute teacher for the Fairfield Community School District for 37 years.

Susan had an unwavering faith in God. She was a lifelong member of the First Presbyterian Church, served as a Deacon and a member of Gamma Circle and the Presbyterian Women. She was also a talented musician and was a member of the Chancel Choir and Bell Choir.

Susan loved family gatherings, socializing and making others feel at home. She was a true friend to many and a beloved member of the community. She founded a bridge club with other educators that is still going strong after 48 years. She also enjoyed playing in a second bridge club with friends for more than 20 years. A believer in giving back to her community, she was past president of PEO Chapter C and was active in the Fairfield Community Concert Association, Jefferson County Hospital Auxiliary, and Habitat for Humanity.

Susan had a passion for reading and she passed that love on to her children and grandchildren which will always be part of the bond they share. She also had a passion for making her special recipe “Christmas Lace” and sharing it with those she loved during the Christmas season. It was a special treat anticipated by friends and family each year. Susan knew the best tomatoes were the homegrown version and for as long as her family remembers she grew perfect tomato plants off her back deck each summer. These special memories will leave a lasting imprint on the lives of all those she knew and loved.

Susan is preceded in death by her parents, Lyman and Camilla (Dare) Evans; as well as her brother, James Evans. Susan is survived and lovingly remembered by her son Robert Phipps, and daughter Sara (Phipps) Jorgensen and husband Chris: her five grandchildren Melanie Phipps, Ryan Phipps, Kelsi Phipps, Sydney Jorgensen, and Kendall Jorgensen; and one great-granddaughter, Payton Phipps, daughter of Melanie Phipps.

Susan’s family wishes to thank all of those who cared for her over the last several months, including the doctors, nurses and entire staff at the Jefferson Community Healthcare Center and Hospice Compassus. It was Susan's wish to leave those she loves with this lasting message: "Love. God is love. Where love is, peace and joy abide. Let all that you do be done in love.”