Susan “Susie” Kay (Knockle) Bruse, 79, of Asbury, passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, at Summit Congregational UCC Church, 2885 John F. Kennedy Rd., Dubuque, where a funeral service will be held at 4 p.m. Rev. Karen Candee will officiate. The Nurse Honor Guard will be present to pay tribute to her many years of service. Private burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Susan was born July 8, 1946, in Dubuque, the daughter of Walter (“Butch”) and Bernice (Maus) Knockle. She grew up spending time on the family farm, where she developed a love of fishing and riding her horse, Red.

As an adult, she worked for many years as a compassionate registered nurse at Mercy Medical Center. If you knew Susie you never forgot her. She had a sharp sense of humor and wasn’t shy about saying what she thought, often while enjoying a cigarette and a cold beer. She loved people and could strike up a conversation with absolutely anyone — even spam callers, who sometimes called back just to chat. Her genuine interest in others made everyone feel like they mattered, and she was the person people turned to when they needed comfort.

Susie carried the untimely losses of her beloved partner Jim Klauer and her cherished children Patrick and Kelly. Those losses changed her deeply, but she was a tough cookie who kept going.

Susie will be remembered for her fierce independence, unwavering compassion, unforgettable personality, and the countless lives she touched simply by being herself. Our family is grateful for the many friends who loved and supported her over the years, and we especially want to thank Steve Bruse for looking after her in her later years.

Susie is survived by her children, Cherie (Don) Regan of Asbury and Shannon (Kristy) Bruse of San Diego, California; her grandchildren, Alissa Bruse-Harrington of Dubuque, Alex Regan of Edina, Minnesota, Lindsey Regan of Dubuque, Amanda Bruse of San Diego, California, Thomas Liddle of Muscatine, Iowa, Nathan Regan of Asbury, and Emily Liddle of East Dubuque, Illinois; her great-grandchildren, Charlee Bakey, Nolan Howell, and Peyton Regan; her son-in-law, Rob Liddle of East Dubuque, Illinois; and her former husband, Steve Bruse of Dubuque.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Bernice Knockle; her son, Patrick Klauer; her daughter, Kelly Liddle; her partner, Jim Klauer; and her special aunt, Annabelle Carbine (Knockle).

Egelhof, Siegert & Casper Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.