Susan K. Denlinger, 71, of Dubuque, IA passed away at home on February 20, 2026, surrounded by her adoring family.

To honor Susan’s life, a wake service will be held from 2:30 to 3:00 p.m. Friday, February 27, at Leonard Funeral Home and Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, where a visitation will follow from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 1425 Iowa Street with Rev. Dennis Quint officiating. Burial will be in Dubuque Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Susan was born on March 30, 1954, in Dubuque as one of seven children to Joseph and Arlene (Hook) Olsen. She married the love of her life, James (Jim) Denlinger, on October 10, 1975, at St. Patrick’s Church and they were blessed with 50 years of marriage and two children, Jason and Julie, along with three grandchildren.

Susan was a stay-at-home mother for the first years of her children’s lives and was actively involved in the wide range of interests of her son and daughter including camping, music, swimming lessons, skits/plays, sports, and Scouts. She was known for her ability to make a variety of different crafts and generously gave them to neighbors, friends, teachers, dentists, or those suffering a loss. She was often referred to as a second mom by childhood friends of Jason and Julie. She later worked for the Dubuque Community School District for eighteen years as a lunch lady and dressed up for every holiday to make the children smile. She loved everything about the holidays from decorating, baking treats, dressing up, but most of all spending time with family. As her children grew up and ventured away from home, she would travel with Jim to visit them in North Carolina, Colorado, New Orleans, and even Mozambique.

Her greatest joy was spending time with her three grandchildren, Kael, Madelyn, and Emmett. She was known as “Fix-It Grandma” for repairing toys, sewing Barbie clothes, and baking birthday cakes. The memory of Susan’s laugh will provide comfort to her friends and family along with countless other memories.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Arlene; father- and mother-in-law, Virgil and Norma Denlinger; brother, Randy Olsen; sister, Linda Decker; and brother-in-law, Thomas Denlinger.

Those left behind to cherish the memory of Susan, include her husband James Denlinger; children, Jason (Berta) Denlinger and Julie (Shane) Bakey; grandchildren, Kael and Madelyn Bakey and Emmett Denlinger; Godson and nephew, Justin (Casey) Heim; siblings, Ronald (Shelby) Olsen, Jerry (Kathy) Olsen, Jean (Ronald) Heim, and Ann Olsen, along with several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and extended family in Mozambique.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Susan may be given to Hospice of Dubuque, Alzheimer’s Association, or Bell Tower Theatre.

Susan’s family would like to thank Angie Kutsch and staff of Unity Point, Lindsey Schulz, and staff of Medical Associates, and Palliative Care/Hospice of Dubuque, especially Amanda, Melissa, Ava, Ashley, Angelia, and Jessica.