09/05/2026 A Celebration of Life Service for Sue and Ken Thraikill, of Knoxville, will be held Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Knoxville. The family will receive friends prior to the service, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
Memorials may be directed to the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.
Saundra Sue Worrall was born April 14, 1944, in Knoxville, Iowa, to James and Betty Worrall. The second of four children, Sue grew up alongside her siblings, Dean, Sherry, and Becky.
Sue grew up in Knoxville and graduated from Knoxville High School with the Class of 1962.
Following graduation, she ventured to Colorado, where she met a young man named Kenneth Thrailkill. That meeting would change the course of both of their lives. Sue and Ken were married on October 18, 1964, beginning a marriage that would span 61 wonderful years. Together they were blessed with two daughters, Troy and Terry.
Sue began working in the insurance industry and went on to make her career with McKay Insurance. She was very good at what she did, but more importantly, she genuinely cared about the people she served. Sue looked out for her customers, took their needs to heart, and treated them the way she would have wanted someone to treat her own family.
Knoxville was home for Sue and Ken, and they loved being a part of the community. If there was something that needed to be done or someone who needed a hand, they could be counted on to help. Their faith was an important part of their lives, including their faith and involvement with New Covenant Church. They helped to lead and coordinate a meals program to take extra care to nourish the community with food, faith and connection.
At home, Sue enjoyed working in her yard and garden and especially loved her flowers. She was a wonderful cook and baker, and her family knew that birthdays came with a special tradition: one of Sue’s “pop cakes.” It was a simple tradition, but one that became a treasured part of family celebrations through the years. When she wasn’t cooking, baking, or tending to her flowers, Sue enjoyed shopping and settling in with a good book.
As much as Sue enjoyed those things, nothing compared to the love she had for her family. Her girls, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter were her greatest joy.
Sue was a caregiver by nature, the kind of person who noticed what someone needed and simply took care of it. She spent much of her life doing for others, often putting their needs ahead of her own. For her family, that love was shown not only in words, but in countless meals, celebrations, traditions, acts of kindness, and all the little things she did without ever expecting anything in return.
Sue passed away on September 5, 2026, at the age of 82. Sue was preceded in death by her husband Ken in October of 2025; her parents: James and Betty Worrall; and sister, Sherry Hersbergen.
She will be greatly missed by her daughters, Terry (Chris) Miller and Troy (Curt) Fee; grandchildren, Londen Miller, Ashley (Mike) Jennings, Ian Fee, and Emma Fee; great-granddaughter, Josephine Jennings; siblings, Dean Jones and Becky (Don) Bingaman; along with many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Saturday, September 19, 2026