Susan “Susie” (Brown) Pleggenkuhle, 79, passed away peacefully on the morning of February 24, 2026.

Susie was born August 13, 1946, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Robert O. Brown and Eleanor (Hockett) Brown. Growing up she lived in many places throughout her childhood, including New York and Glen Ellyn, Illinois, where she graduated from high school. Susie later continued that life of adventure as a devoted military wife, moving often with her beloved husband before they settled in Papillion, Nebraska in 1985 and most recently in Bella Vista, Arkansas in 2019.

On December 17, 1966, she married Daryl A. Pleggenkuhle, in Des Moines, Iowa. Together they built a life marked by deep devotion, partnership, and laughter over 59 years of marriage. In recent years, Daryl cared for Susie with tenderness and faithfulness, a reflection of the love they shared throughout their life together.

Susie was a devoted mother to her children, Todd A. Pleggenkuhle (Tonya) of Springdale, Arkansas, and Melissa “Missy” Hallinan (Bubba) of Tauranga, New Zealand. She was a proud grandmother to Jordan Butler (Nelson) of Bentonville, Arkansas, and Courtney Arnold (Chase) of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and cherished great-grandmother to Jillayne Butler.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Robert “Bob” S. Brown and sister-in-law Katherine “Kay" Brown.

Wherever life took her — from Massachusetts to California, Oklahoma to Germany — Susie made lifelong friendships and kept them faithfully. She was deeply involved in Officers’ Wives Clubs, often organizing events and bringing people together. She also became an avid and competitive bridge player, playing for more than 55 years and still recalling hands decades later.

Family was always at the center of Susie’s life. She was a room mother, PTA president, and even worked at the high school to stay close to her children. She could reliably be found in the stands or along the sidelines cheering at ballgames, school events, and activities for both her children and granddaughters.

Susie loved gathering people. Whether hosting holiday celebrations, organizing game nights, or simply making sure everyone had a place at the table, she made ordinary moments special and traditions meaningful. She was an excellent cook and baker, known especially for her chocolate pound cake, 7-Up pound cake, and the blueberry coffee cake that made Christmas feel like Christmas.

She delighted in gift-giving, often turning presents into adventures — including elaborate scavenger hunts that revealed trips to Hawaii or special excursions with her granddaughters. She loved Motown music, Broadway shows, and travel, especially during their years living in Heidelberg, Germany. Her travels also took her to New Zealand for extended visits with family, Wimbledon in London, and family vacations across the United States and abroad.

Susie had a playful spirit and a quick sense of humor. She loved teasing and being teased, laughed easily, and created countless family stories and inside jokes that will be retold for generations.

More than anything, she loved her people well. Her life was a steady example of cherishing family, nurturing friendships, and making sure those around her felt welcomed and cared for. Though her family experienced a long goodbye, they hold tightly to the many memories she created and the love she gave so freely.

A celebration of life will be held later this summer, with details to be announced. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Susie’s favorite charity - St Jude Children’s Hospital.  Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Heritage Funeral Home (479)751-2444