The light of the world got a little dimmer with Susan’s passing on March 14, 2026. A brighter light never shown!
The most important thing in Susan’s life was her family: two sons, Mark (Britt) and Luke (Carin); four grandchildren, Leah (Emily), Willa (Ryan), Ruby and August. Susan had many friends and thousands of students. She surrounded everyone with her love.
Susan was born in Minneapolis in 1943. She attended Southwest High School, the University of Minnesota and Hamline University.
In 1965, Susan married Jim and they spent 60 wonderful, adventurous years together raising a family, building their dream home, canoeing, kayaking, skiing, climbing and hiking. She loved their home near the Cascade River.
In the seventies and eighties, Susan could be found at Sawtooth Elementary, playing Four Square or assisting teachers. A “Jack-of-all-trades,” Susan then taught in the Chaska school district for 22 years! Susan was also an avid participant in the Minnesota Writing Project.
Susan was a strong woman with a pioneer spirit, not afraid to tackle anything, except cold water. She hated swimming! Yet for 24 years, her group of friends called the “Lady Trippers” canoed the BWCA and Quetico. They eventually settled on “glamping” and continued to meet every year.
Susan will never leave our hearts.
In memory of Susan, donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or to North Point, Inc., Grand Marais, MN.
A Celebration of Life is being planned for July 31st, Jim and Susan’s anniversary, in Grand Marais, details to follow.
