Susan M. Rolffs, 58, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 2, 2016, at her residence at Pella. Funeral services were held Feb. 6 at Federated Fellowship Church, Pella. Interment followed in the Oakwood Cemetery at Pella. Memorial contributions are preferred for Federated Fellowship Church missions.
Susan Marie Bergeson was the second of four children born to Richard Paul and Lola Mae (Arneson) Bergeson. She was born Aug. 9, 1957, at Ames. Sue attended school in Newton and graduated from Newton High School with the Class of 1975. During high school, Sue was actively involved in a youth group at the Christian Missionary Alliance Church in Newton where she accepted Christ as her savior and was baptized.
Sue, a disciple of Jesus Christ, met Merlan Jay Rolffs at a Bible study group at her parents’ home. Merlan and Sue were united in marriage on June 9, 1979, at First Federated Church in Des Moines. Their lives were blessed with five children: Sarah Nicole who was born Sept. 9, 1980, Lindsay Marie on Apr. 9, 1985, Laura Kristine on Aug. 1, 1988, Matthew Jay on Feb. 10, 1990, and Luke Aaron on Sept. 8, 1993. Sue immersed herself in their lives by researching numerous books in fulfilling her commitment to home schooling. She was an avid prayer warrior for them. She captured many of their special family memories through photography, and later in life she found fulfillment in baking goods for Pella’s farmers market.
Sue and her family also enjoyed many family trips to Colorado throughout the years. Sue loved all people, and she was truly a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, and sister.
On Feb. 2, 2016, at the age of 58 years, she went to her eternal home while lovingly being cared for by her family at their residence at Pella. They are: Her husband, Merlan Rolffs; four children and seven grandchildren: Sarah (Adam) Hartig, Aiden Winter, Anders Lennon, August Hendrix, and Anaia Sumer Hartig of Cedar Rapids, Lindsay (Sam) Bankes, Devin Jacob Miller, Wallace Henry Bankes, and Oswell Jay Bankes of Oskaloosa, Matthew Rolffs and Luke Rolffs, both of Pella. Sue leaves her father, Richard Bergeson of Newton; a brother, John (Sharon) Bergeson of Runnells; and two sisters: Nancy Jackson of Geneseo, NY, and Karen (Andy) Albers of Grinnell; her mother-in-law, Hermina Rolffs of Sully; and the following brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Randy and Aleda Rolffs of Pella, Dale and Carolyn Rolffs of Lynnville, Brent and Brenda Rolffs of Sully, Scott and Valerie Rolffs of Lynnville, and Rose (Rolffs) Kiehl of Sully.
She was preceded in death by her four-month-old daughter, Laura Kristine; a granddaughter, Amarie Sue Rolffs on Apr. 30, 2006; her mother, Lola M. Bergeson; and her father-in-law, Henry L. Rolffs.
Sue became a devoted Christian prior to her teen years and remained a servant of her Lord and Saviour. She always had time and sweet words for everyone and never let someone leave her presence with an empty stomach. Sue was in happy fellowship at the Federated Fellowship Church in Pella.
