Susan Elaine Crosby

Susan Elaine (Shepard) Crosby passed away on September 24, 2025 at the age of 81. 

Suzy was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa on December 4, 1943, to Byron and Lois (Looney) Shepard. She was the third of four children. She spent her early childhood in Humboldt, Iowa and cherished many memories of growing up in the small town near her extended family. She was especially proud of her maternal grandmother Ella Marie DeReus’s Dutch heritage and her family’s role in founding the town of Pella, Iowa. In 1952, Suzy’s family moved to Des Moines. She greatly enjoyed her time at Theodore Roosevelt High School from which she graduated in 1962. 

Suzy went on to attend Iowa State University, where she led an active social life from the beginning of her freshman year through graduation. She was crowned the Military Ball Queen her freshman year in 1963 and was very involved in the VEISHEA Committee all four years. In 1966, Suzy graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Art & Advertising Design. 

Suzy went on to lead a vibrant career as an artist specializing in advertising design and layout. Her early career included working as a fashion illustrator for Younkers department store, preparing advertisements that ran regularly in the Des Moines Register, followed by a job with the Minneapolis Star & Tribune, her favorite clients being the Minnesota Vikings and Target. She later worked as the Director of Advertising for the 18 Iowa Graham’s Department Stores at their headquarters in Ottumwa, Iowa. 

On May 2, 1970, Suzy married the love of her life, Gene Crosby, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines, Iowa. They spent the early years of their marriage in Mason City and Centerville, Iowa. The couple welcomed their daughter, Melinda (Mindy), in 1975 and relocated to Urbandale in 1978. 

After moving to Urbandale, Suzy worked as a freelance commercial artist for several years, contracting with many Iowa companies. Later in her career, Suzy utilized her artistic talents to create one-of-a-kind party decorations and centerpieces for the West Des Moines party store, Papourri. She loved to collaborate with customers in planning their events, from the smallest of gatherings to large corporate events. 

Suzy was very active in the Urbandale schools, serving as a multi-year member of the PTO and volunteering at various school functions. Hers was a familiar face often found working in the high school concession stands. Her daughter’s friends and teammates called her the cool mom, known for her kindness to all and her dance moves while chaperoning the middle school dances. As a part of her volunteer work, she was proud to have designed multiple Urbandale medallions commemorating the city’s history, including Saint Pope John Paul ll’s visit to Living History Farms on October 4, 1979.

Later in life, Suzy filled her time with the things she loved the most. At the top of the list was spending time with her granddaughters, Lucy and Penny. From the time they were born, she would make frequent visits to Omaha to see them, and later she was their biggest cheerleader at every sporting event she could attend. She also loved to travel; her favorite places included any ocean, Yellowstone, Glacier, and the Rocky Mountains. She cheered on the Iowa State football and basketball teams, as well as the Minnesota Lynx; she rarely missed a game, always ready with her gear and popcorn. 

Suzy was passionate about her love for the arts and shared that passion with everyone she knew. Her extended family was often blessed to receive her one of a kind handmade birthday cards as well as beautiful personalized art pieces, into which she poured her heart and soul, that they will treasure forever. Suzy also loved meeting new people and made it her mission to bring a smile and light into the lives of everyone she encountered. 

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband of 55 years, Gene, her daughter Mindy Currans and husband Mike, granddaughters Lucy and Penny Currans, brother Jack Shepard and wife Martha, sister-in-law Sandy Frazer and husband Gary, brothers-in-law Lon Crosby and Bill Young, and many nieces and nephews. Suzy is preceded in death by her parents, sisters Sheron (Shepard) Young and Carolyn (Shepard) Guariglia, brother-in-law Ron Guariglia, sister-in-law Ann Crosby, niece Jeannie (Young) Sandin Whitt, and nephew Eric Frazer. 

The family plans to have a celebration of Suzy’s life at a later date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.