Susan D. Harter

Susan Dora (Walker) Harter, 83 years old, passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 from natural causes with complications from a Parkinsonian Movement Disorder and Dementia. She lived her last two years in the extraordinary, loving care of staff at the Iowa Jewish Life Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
Susan was born in Chesaning, Michigan on September 21st, 1940, the eldest daughter of Chauncy "Bud" Walker and Katherine (Konkus) Walker. Susan was a daughter, sister, mother and a teacher.
A mother gives.
- kindness when little is around,
- security when a safe place is needed,
and
- love unconditionally.
Our Mom did all three, plus more. She taught.
Mrs. Harter's name was a mainstay in childhood education in the Grinnell-Newburg School District, teaching kindergarten at Fairview Elementary School for 32 years. She presented a classroom full of color with multiple activities and curiosities. Her classroom had bendable rules for personal development for every individual including herSELF. She served as Chapter President of the local Delta Kappa Gamma organization. DKG is a professional society for women educators.
After a day of teaching, Susan enjoyed going to St. Francis Manor as a Certified Nurse Aide. She continued as a CNA after retiring from teaching (1964-2002). She also remained an active member of the Grinnell Methodist Church. Since moving to Grinnell from Michigan, she nurtured her strong faith with friends in the Church.
She is survived by her beloved daughters Allison Sue (Harter) Lanphier and Allissa Ann Harter. She was a sister to Fauna (Walker) Nixon of MI, Edwin Walker of FL, and Phillip Walker of MI. She cherished time with her three grandchildren, Toby Crandall of Grinnell, Jannika Harter-Rydje of Sweden, and Garett Crandall of Grinnell.
A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. Our Mom has donated her body to a non-profit: The Institute for Anatomical Research in Colorado Springs, Colorado. (www.anatomicalresearch.org).
As in life, Susan will continue to teach where each new donor gives students the opportunity to foster a more inclusive and open-hearted vision of ourselves. They will learn from Our Mom as she will be their compassionate guide to show the human form with a lifetime of lived experiences.
For those interested in sharing a memory or sentiments of "Mrs. Harter", "Sue", "Susan" or "Susie Q", please reach out to Allissa at allissa.harter@gmail.com.