Sue Marie Wubben, 70, went to greet her Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 14, 2026, surrounded by the deep love and care of her family. After a brief and brutal battle with cancer, she can now rest in peace in God’s care. There will be a private family burial at West Lutheran Cemetery near Rake, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, a memorial in Sue’s honor has been established.

Sue Marie Morrison was born on November 4, 1955, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Corleen Marie (Freeman) and Alden Jerome Morrison. Sue grew up in Newhall, Iowa, and attended Benton Community School, where she graduated with the class of 1973. After graduating from high school, Sue went to Iowa State University (ISU), where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. While attending ISU, if she wasn’t at “The Library” in Ames, she might be found working a shift as a hostess at the local Perkins. It was there that fate would have its way when she met the night manager, James (Jim) Russel Wubben.

Jim and Sue began dating, and during that time, while out with friends trying to decide where to eat, whoever was driving the car got to choose, declaring “driver’s choice!” A foreshadowing of a future to come. They were married on December 17, 1978, in Newhall, Iowa. The following year, on September 17, 1979, they opened a family business in Buffalo Center, Iowa, called “The Driver’s Choice Restaurant” - a name inspired by those early days together. They owned and operated the restaurant for over 35 years. What an accomplishment!

As the business grew, so did the family. Jim and Sue welcomed three girls (often dressed by Sue in matching outfits) who grew up making lifelong memories alongside them at “The Choice.” On any given day, you might see the girls on rollerblades serving Sue’s oatmeal pie to customers, while Sue was in the back decorating one of her infamous cakes or planning the next Sunday Smorgasbord. While owning the business required many hours of dedication, Sue still made sure the girls had ample opportunities to pursue extracurriculars - she drove them to weekly dance lessons in Blue Earth, Minnesota; swimming and piano lessons; sports; musicals and plays; and even prioritized late-night family outings to squeeze in many laughs and unforgettable core memories.

Sue’s legacy lives on. Her knack for creating magic through even the simplest experiences are memories her girls will always treasure and aim to replicate. A Hawkeye or Cyclone basketball game, or even a favorite TV show, became something to look forward to with snacks, drinks, and a sense of anticipation. While she was an avid basketball fan, when her two sons-in-law cheered for the Vikings and the Packers, she added football to her roster. She taught her kids the value of maximizing every project. A little glitter, an extra border, or a fancy cover on a book report goes a long way. Her family hopes to live up to her ability to throw a holiday party. She was often called the “hostess with the mostest” as she prepared beautiful trays of appetizers, desserts, and drinks to go around and around (cue the epic Bloody Mary bar and signature drinks). Even a last-minute gathering was no match for Sue. She would whip up a charcuterie board, snack trays, and chips & dip. When told she went to too much trouble, she would say, “Oh, it was just stuff I had laying around! No big deal.” And when it was time to depart, she’d pass out the to-go boxes she kept on hand so everyone could bring home leftovers. This was her way of showing love – through thoughtful details and going the extra mile, making sure everyone felt special, welcomed, and cared for.

Speaking of going above and beyond, she cherished her grandkids and took every chance she had to shower them with love. “No” was not part of her vocabulary when it came to them; and if it included gifts or treats, she was known to say, “I am the Grandma, I can do what I want!” She was generous, thoughtful, and gave without hesitation. Her grandkids adored weekend trips to Grandma Sue’s and daily FaceTime calls where they told her jokes, shared stories from the day, and got to share their life with Grandma. She was so deeply loved by her grandchildren, whose lives are forever brighter because of her love for them.

Even among a busy career and full family life, Sue made time to volunteer and give back to her community. As a member of First Reformed Church in Buffalo Center, Iowa, she served as the Treasurer for many years. This position included coordinating the gift bags given to all the children after the annual Christmas program. This was another moment where Sue shined as she carefully planned and executed a theme and then went on a hunt for the perfect candy, trinkets, and inspirational elements to include in the gift bags. Her girls have many fond memories of assembly line operations and shopping trips to secure the supplies for these gift bags. Another example of how thoughtful and special Sue could make any experience.

Left to cherish these memories are her daughters and sons-in-law: Amanda and Joshua Weister, Melissa and Anthony Aukes, Jessica Wubben, and her trusty sidekick, Zumba the Shih Tzu. Sue was blessed with grandchildren: Reed Aukes, 9; Oliver Weister, 8; Camilla Weister, 4; and Russ Aukes, 3.

She also leaves behind a beloved sister and dear friend, Amy Frazier (Don); nieces Rachel Ward (and family) and Ashlee Ritscher (and family); sister-in-law Jodi Wubben; nephews Tony Wubben (and family) and Jon Wubben; and niece Laura Wubben. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Wubben; her parents, Alden and Corleen Morrison; her father-in-law, Raemon Wubben; and mother-in-law, Annabel Wubben (Russ); as well as many beloved dogs (Snookie, Pelly, Daisy, Dibs, BoJo, Mr. Belvidere, Bingo, Happy Casper the Snowball, Lucky Lady Spotty Dotty, Shazam, and Fonzie - can you guess which ones she let the kids name?!). Her love for dogs was unmistakable. They were never just pets, but cherished members of the family. Whether curled up on her lap or sneaking a bite of human food, they brought her endless joy and laughter. We imagine her now, surrounded by wagging tails, sneaking them treats and cuddling them nonstop.

Sue’s time on this earth was too short, but what a privilege it was to be loved by her. She colored our world and brought joy daily. We know her legacy will live on in us; in the way we gather and care for one another, in the traditions we carry forward, and in the love and happy memories we share.

Memorial Link:  

https://giveahand.com/fundraiser/sue-wubben-memorial-fund