A celebration of life gathering for Susan Wright, 72, of Knoxville, will be held Friday, September 25, 2026, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Knoxville. A private family burial will be held at Graceland Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be made in Sue’s name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Susan Eileen Andersen was born June 7, 1954, to Clarence and Dorothy Andersen. She was welcomed home by three adoring older sisters, Sandy, Chris, and Sheila. Sue grew up in Emmetsburg, Iowa, where some of her favorite memories were made riding and showing horses. She was athletic from a young age and participated in track and swimming and was a champion diver during high school. Sue graduated from Emmetsburg High School in 1972 and continued her education at Iowa State University, where she studied education.
Sue met Dale Wright in high school and were high school sweethearts. The two were married on February 2, 1982, and were blessed with two sons, Richard Dale and Christopher John.
Sue began her teaching career in Minnesota before the family settled in Knoxville. For 30 years, she taught sixth grade social studies in the Knoxville schools. Generations of students passed through her classroom before she retired in 2012.
Sue’s life changed suddenly when Dale died of a heart attack in 1995. Left to raise two young boys, Sue did what those closest to her knew she would do—she kept going. She was strong, fiercely independent, and determined, and she raised Dickie and CJ to have those same qualities.
Sue experienced many hardships in her life but she refused to let them define her. She adapted, persevered, and continued to make the best of whatever life put in front of her. Getting knocked down was one thing; staying down simply wasn’t Sue.
Her strength, however, was only part of who Sue was. She had a contagious laugh, a welcoming smile, and a wonderfully silly side that came out around the people she loved. She could laugh at herself, have fun with family and friends, and at the same time be one of their fiercest protectors. If Sue loved you, you knew she was in your corner.
For nearly 30 years, Sue shared her life with Dut. Together they enjoyed traveling, spending time with family, and simply sharing life’s moments. Sue was always ready to go somewhere, and some especially good memories were made traveling with the boys. One memorable “baseball” trip with the boys, included stops at Yankee Stadium, Cooperstown, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.
More than anything, Sue loved her family. She was immensely proud of her sons and found great joy in becoming a grandmother. She loved Addison, Reese, and Mabel dearly and was excitedly awaiting the arrival of another grandchild, Jude.
Sue passed away Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the Comfort House in Pella. She leaves behind a family who will remember not only how strong she was, but also how much she laughed, how deeply she loved, and how determined she was to keep enjoying life.
Sue will be greatly missed by her sons, Dickie (Jill) Wright and CJ Wright; grandchildren, Addison, Reese, Mabel, and soon-to-arrive Jude; her longtime friend and companion, Dut; sisters, Sandy (Paul) Quam, Chris (Denny) Passman, and Sheila (Sam Sloss) Andersen; along with many relatives, former students, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Wright, in 1995; and her parents, Clarence and Dorothy Andersen.
