Susan Ahlers Leman
LEMAN, BOTTORFF, GRANDGEORGE, AHLERS
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 7/8/2024 at 11:25:25
Susan Ahlers Leman, 55, of Iowa City, formerly of Fort Dodge passed away peacefully at home on May 22, 2024. Throughout her 14-year journey with breast cancer, she cherished the good moments and never let the hard days conquer her spirit.
Susan was born on April 22, 1969, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Don and Beth (Grandgeorge) Bottorff. She grew up in Webster City, graduating from Webster City High School. Susan attended the University of Iowa where she earned a B.A. in Political Science in 1991 and then graduated from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1994.
After college, she moved back to Fort Dodge where she would raise her children and begin her career as an attorney. Susan worked for the Johnson Law Firm for many years before becoming the Market President/Senior Trust Officer for First American Bank and then Vice President/Senior Trust Officer at GreenState Credit Union. Among many other things in life, Susan was passionate about her job and worked up until a week before her death.
In 2006, she married her best friend Rod Leman and became a loving blended family. The couple lived in Fort Dodge until moving to Iowa City in 2022. Together, they were a great team and enjoyed traveling to different parts of the world.
She lived to see others grow and succeed, especially her children. Susan was passionate about community involvement and led by example. She was active in various ways, serving on the Boards of the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way, Iowa Central Community College Foundation, the Blanden Charitable Foundation, FILMSCENE, and Community Collaborations Committee.
She will be remembered by her family as a devoted wife, supportive mother, and loving sister, and as one of the most generous, involved, and inspiring fixtures in her community.
Susan is survived by her husband Rod Leman of Iowa City, IA, five children Ben Ahlers of New York City, NY, Lauren Leman of Cedar Falls, IA, Katie Ahlers of Minneapolis, MN, Jack Leman of St. Joseph, MO and Jillian Leman of Iowa City, IA, two siblings Douglas (Margaret) Bottorff of Iowa City, IA, and Shelly Bottorff (Darin) of Rockwell City, IA, and several nieces, nephews and extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
To celebrate Susan’s life and the joy she brought to all who knew her, a celebration of life will be held for the Iowa City community and another one held for the Webster City community. A gathering is planned for Friday, June 14, 2024, at the Park Lodge at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area in Iowa City where her family will be present from 5:00 to 9:00 PM with an opportunity for anyone who would like to share a memory or tribute to begin at 6:00 PM. Services in Webster City will be held on August 10, 2024 at Briggs Wood Convention Center with details to be announced when decided.
Memorials may be made in Susan's name to the Foundation for the ICCSD for City High Music Program online at www.bit.ly/FoundationICCSD or by mail to 1725 N. Dodge St. Iowa City, IA 52245, or to the Fort Dodge Fine Arts Association online at https://susanahlersleman.myportfolio.com/ or by mail to 24 North 9th Street, Suite B, Fort Dodge, IA 50501.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen