Andrena Sue Messer

Sue Messer died peacefully at Clarissa Cook Hospice House on May 10, 2023. 

A private Mass will be held in Peoria, Illinois with the Sisters of St. Francis and graveside services will be held on June 19th at 11:00 in Dumfermline, Illinois. 

Sue was born in Canton, Illinois to Harrison Messer and Agnes Conway Messer.  Sue graduated from Lewistown High School, earned her B.S. in Education from Illinois State University, and an M.A. in Pastoral Theology from St. Meinrad’s Indiana. 

Sue became a member of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Immaculate Conception and was a part of that community for 20 years; serving the communities of Metamora, Peoria, and Moline, Illinois.  Her roles with the Sisters of St. Francis included 4 years at Seton Catholic Jr. High as both a teacher and principal, and 5 years as a Pastoral Minister in Andalusia and at Sacred Heart Parish in Moline, Illinois.  

Sue left the order in 1997 and in 1998 Sue became employed by the Iowa Department of Human Services in the child welfare department, retiring in 2017.  As most people who knew Sue, she embraced retirement with enthusiasm.   Sue was a part of the art community, volunteering at QC Arts, taking numerous art classes,  dabbling in the art of ventriloquism with her puppets, and bringing joy to her friends with her gift of making cards that inspired and brought joy to all that knew her.  Sue was a treasure to all that knew her and will be sadly missed. 

Sue is survived by her beloved dog, Coco;  a brother and his three sons in the Canton area;  a beloved cousin, Andy (Toni) Conway from Canton and their two children, Mitch and Brandi as well as extended family.   She was also survived by her dear aunt Marilyn and her children from California. 

Sue was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved dog, Chewee, and her cat, Louie.  Memorials can be sent to Clarissa Cook Hospice House In Bettendorf, Iowa.

Condolences may be shared at CremationQC.com.