Suzanne Kay Willey

Suzanne Kay Willey, 70, of Castalia, Iowa passed away peacefully with her loving family surrounding her Monday, September 25, 2023 at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was born October 1, 1952 to Harry and Nellie (Hanson) Falck in Decorah, Iowa. Suzanne was baptized on October 19, 1952, and later confirmed, at Hauge Lutheran Church. She graduated from North Winneshiek High School, Burr Oak, Iowa in 1970 and Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa in 1974 with a degree in early childhood education.

Suzanne married Brett Willey on June 1, 1974 in Burr Oak, Iowa. Four children were born to this union; Clifton, Brock, Tera and Tonya. When first married and beginning her family, she placed her priority on being home on the farm with her children. Once her children reached school age, she began teaching kindergarten at Postville Schools and taught for thirty-two years. Suzanne was forever a child advocate and teaching was her passion. It did not stop at retirement as she continued to substitute teach in both Postville and South Winneshiek schools up until very recently when she began cancer treatments. You would often hear “Mrs. Willey!” from across a store or restaurant as former students, young and old, would greet her. Suzanne was an active member of the Postville Education Association helping make changes within the school that ultimately would benefit the students and teachers. She had great integrity to stand up and advocate for her students and coworkers whenever she felt necessary. She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church; teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and was the Sunday School Superintendent for many years, up until her death. Her faith was very important to her and she shared this freely with many. Suzanne loved her children and grandchildren and supported them in any and all activities they were ever involved in. Her calendar was filled with multiple opportunities to do what she loved best, watching her family do the things they loved. Even through cancer treatments, she never missed a dance recital or a day of softball or baseball, even if she did nap in the outfield! It was important to her that her family knew that she was always there for them. Suzanne played softball in high school, fast pitch for Loren Hawks during her college years, slow pitch while she was raising her kids, filled in whenever needed to play with her kids during slow pitch or big ball tournaments, and taught all her grandkids the love of the game. She never missed an opportunity to get her family together for a pick up game of softball in the Castalia park. Suzanne had a wonderful group of friends that she so dearly cherished. She enjoyed getting away with them to a play, a movie, or sometimes just to sit and enjoy each others company.

Suzanne is survived by her husband, Brett of Castalia; four children, Clifton (Melissa) Willey of Long Grove, Iowa, Brock (Kenan) Willey of Ossian, Iowa, Tera (Jason) Tweten of Decorah, Iowa, and Tonya (Jeremy) Geisler of Waucoma, Iowa; thirteen grandchildren, Emmalyn Willey, Ella Willey, Aubrey Willey, Henry Willey, Collin (Kaitlyn) Tweten, Cole Tweten, Fisher Tweten, Jasera Tweten, Walker Tweten, Trey Courtney, Madyson Courtney, Clare Courtney and Serenity Geisler; siblings, Philip Falck of Dunlevy, Pennsylvania, Marie Headington of Decorah, Iowa, Willie (Holly) Falck of Decorah, Iowa, Steve (Terry) Falck of Decorah, Iowa, Becky Heying of Waukon, Iowa, and Inga Martin of Wauzeka, Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Kendra (Mike) Lawler of Parnell, Iowa, and Shawna (Leo Einck) Willey of McClean, Virginia; many nieces, nephews, great neices and great nephews that adored their Aunt Suzy.

Suzanne was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Nellie Falck; brothers Henry Falck in infancy and Harold Falck; parents-in-law, Vincent and Mavis Willey and Katherine Willey; sisters-in-law, Sharon Falck and Irene Falck and brothers-in-law, Jody Martin and Gary Headington Sr.

Visitation will be Sunday, October 1, 2023 from 2-5 pm at Zion Lutheran Church, Castalia, Iowa and one hour before services at the church on Monday.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Monday, October 2, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church, Castalia, Iowa with Rev. Daryl Schultz as the Officiant with lunch to follow.

Burial will be at Hauge Cemetery, Decorah, Iowa around 2 pm.

Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Postville, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.

Click here to visit the Schutte-Grau Funeral Home website.