Susan Kay Yinger

Susan Kay Yinger of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on January 1, 2026, surrounded by family. She was 79 years old.

Susan was born on July 5, 1946 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Lloyd and Claire Fernow. She made Des Moines her home for most of her life, where she shared 44 years with her loving husband, H. Vincent Yinger. Susan graduated summa cum laude and valedictorian from both Linn-Mar High School (Marion, Iowa), and Iowa State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in home economics. She had a long career in marketing as an account manager.

Susan was uniquely able to love; she radiated joy, and her laughter was always loud and bright. Her genuineness and humor put people at ease. She always had an appropriate (often cat-themed) birthday card to send to those she loved. She enjoyed her trips to Spain and Mexico, and spent many of her summers at the family cottage in Michigan. Susan found mental respite walking on nature trails throughout Iowa- it did not matter the season or the weather.

Susan left an undeniable impact on her community. She loved music; she was an active member of the Des Moines chapter of Sweet Adelines for over 50 years, and she delighted in the music performed at the Plymouth Congregational church services. She gave her time to Lutheran Family Services and Can Do Cancer, touching lives wherever she went. She regularly engaged in a quilting group at Plymouth.

Susan is survived by her husband, H. Vincent Yinger; her children, David Eick (Maria Fidalgo-Eick) and Jennifer Eick-Magan (Jose Luis Magan); her stepdaughter, Elizabeth Carrasco (Franklin Carrasco); her three grandchildren, Sofia Magan, Lucia Magan, and James Eick; and her siblings, Cheryl Frey (James Frey) and JP Fernow.

Susan's celebration of life will be held at Plymouth Church in Des Moines this spring. All are welcomed to honor her memory: a life joyously lived and deeply loved. Please contact Iles Westover Funeral Home for details.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to one of the following organizations that she held dear:

Can Do Cancer-
https://candocancer.org/help/patient-donation.html

Camp Kesem-
https://donate.kesem.org/fundraiser/6728731

Iowa Public Radio-
https://www.iowapublicradio.org/support

Iowa Public Broadcasting-
https://iowapbsfoundation.tfaforms.net/f/donation

Susan will be missed. Her love lives on through all of us.