Della "Sue" Coons, age 96, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at Mala Strana Rehabilitation and Care Center. Sue was born on February 9, 1923 in Romney, West Virginia to William J. and Priscilla Margaret (Barnes) Mayhew. She graduated from Romney High School, attended business college in Cumberland, Maryland for a year, and then entered the Women's Army Corp from 1945 – 1948. She moved to Austin, MN after her military service and married Eugene Coons in 1968 in Maryland while on vacation. She raised her three children in Austin, primarily as a wonderful mother and homemaker, but during periods of her life, she also cooked at a nursing home and restaurants. She moved to Millpond Apartments in New Prague in 1987 when her daughter-in-law returned to work and became a primary caregiver for her grandchildren. She served as the assistant manager for a number of years at Millpond. Sue was an avid reader and enjoyed gardening, cooking and baking, and walking. Her family was always Sue's first and most important priority and she loved nothing more than time with spent with them.
Sue is survived by her children, Margaret (Rollie) Newton of Underwood, IA, Vern (Mary Jo) Coons of New Prague, Terry (Jon) Day of Winterville, NC; 8 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; sisters, Lorraine (Chuck) Foster of Colorado Springs, CO, Polly Timbrook of Romney, West Virginia; brother, William (Debbie) Mayhew of Romney, West Virgina; sister-in-law, Nadine (Ronnie) Pogones of Austin, MN; special friend, Terry Murtaugh of New Prague. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Eugene in 1985; sisters, Glenna Mayhew & Lou Cutlip.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held Thursday, January 30, 2020 at Community Baptist Church in New Prague at 10:00 AM with Pastor John Stephens officiating. Visitation will take place from 9 – 10 AM at church, followed by lunch. Burial will occur at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery that afternoon where military honors will be conducted.
