A. I. Sue Metzler

Annabell “Sue” Metzler reached the end of her wonderful life on April 13, 2022, at the age of 92.

Born in Yuma, Colorado on July 4, 1929, Sue spent her early years in Yuma before growing up in Kansas and Illinois, eventually returning to Fort Morgan area.  Sue met the love of her life, Ben Metzler, before he entered the service, and upon his return, were married on March 16, 1948. They made their home in Yuma on the family farm northeast of Yuma, raising livestock and growing wheat and other forages. 

Ben and Sue raised three boys here in Yuma: Dean, Don, and Blair.  During their growing years, Sue worked on the farm, and as a waitress at Vern’s Café, a downtown Yuma staple at the time.  In 1970, Ben took a job in Denver with Grange Insurance Association, and they spent many years living in the city, and spending their weekends on the farm.  It would be difficult to find a Saturday where Sue wasn’t busy mowing, watering trees, gardening, arrowhead hunting in the fields, or sewing a pieced quilt -- whistling all the while.

While in Denver, Sue spent several decades working in retail at Miller Stockman Western Wear, receiving special honors when she eventually retired. During that time Ben and Sue started Indian Tree Travel Agency, which allowed them to travel all over the world.  Sue never tired in her fascination and love of Ireland, nor her countless visits to Alaska to see her sons and their families. A voracious reader, she always had a paperback novel in her travel bag, or seatback pocket as they took their many road trips all over the U.S. She and Ben held season tickets to the Denver Broncos and the Denver Performing Arts Center, always including family and friends along the way.

In later years, Ben’s position as chairman for the Grange Insurance board eventually had them living for several years in Seattle, Washington.  Sue never tired of window shopping in the little boutiques or antiquing throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Sue will be remembered for her tough work ethic; her famous cinnamon bread; her uncanny talent to win at Solitaire; and her ability to make one feel as if they were the most important person in the room.

Sue is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Benjamin Metzler. She is survived by her three children: Dean (Linda) Metzler, of Fort Morgan, CO; Don (Alice) Metzler, of Yuma, CO; and Blair (Sonja) Metzler, of Colville, WA. She leaves behind her 14 grandchildren: Ben (Niki), Becky (Holly), Kasee (Jake), April (Jeremy), Sarah, Brian (Angie), Tara (Ryan), Katie (Aaron), Brenton, Hannah, Spike (Alisha), Joe (Hollie), Maggie, Caleb (Lonnie), and many great and great-great grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sister, Shirley Holmes Specketer, brother Jim (Elaine) Holmes, and many nieces and nephews, family and friends.

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