(715) 243-5252 |
Susan was born on July 13, 1946 in Minneapolis, MN to Wayne and Ruth (Schneider) Gustafson. Her childhood had many homes across the U.S.; beginning in Minnesota and then to Portland, Oregon, Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Hudson, WI where she graduated from Hudson High School in 1964.
She attended UW-River Falls and majored in English Education. After graduating, she taught English at Stillwater Junior High School until 1976.
She met Gerhard “Skip” Koosmann at UW-RF during college and they married in 1969 in River Falls, WI. Their marriage would be blessed with two daughters: Eva and Anna. After the children had graduated from High School, she took up teaching again at Northeast Metro District 916 Area Learning Center, and completed her Master’s in English Education in 2002. She retired after a decade of teaching at Northeast Metro in 2008.
She was an active member in AAUW; she loved playing cards and was part of bridge groups for over 30 years. An avid reader, she enjoyed all forms of literature, art, poetry, and stage theater. She had a wonderful circle of friends that held regular pot-lucks, and a network of women that formed play-groups while raising her children. She was a strong advocate for women’s equality in leadership and education.
Susan had a kind, gentle loving spirit and who put family first. She was dependable and always there to listen when you needed her. Deeply compassionate, thoughtful, and had great empathy towards those in need. Susan had a wonderful, witty smart-sense of humor, and loved play-on words and puns, her laugh was unbridled and infectious. She was beautiful inside and out.
Susan was a generous supporter of her local arts community and educational programs. Memorials to community support groups such as Food shelfs, Turning Point etc., would be her preference.
She was preceded in death by her parents Wayne and Ruth (Schneider) Gustafson. She is survived by her spouse of 54 years, Gerhard “Skip” Koosmann, their two daughters: Eva (Iver) Branson and Anna Koosmann, 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, her brother Burton and his spouse Jeani (Frazier) Gustafson.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 11:00 am at First Congregational Church (110 N 3rd St.) in River Falls. Visitation was also on Saturday from 10-11 am at the church. A luncheon followed the service. The service will be live streamed by the following link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/blsISlznMVg?si=sbiYg5uTOoWj1tPT Cremation services provided by Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.
19 Comments
I am so sad to hear about Sue. I have so many good memories of raising our children together. She was such a beautiful soul.
Sue was such a gentle soul with a great sense of humor and a good bridge partner. I really miss her.
Sorry for your loss. We spent years playing games everyThursday. I really enjoyed that. We always went to a different place. Missed her ever since I moved to Florida.
Sue was so kind and generous to me growing up, and my Nana loved her very much – as did we all. I send love, love, and more love to you Skip, Eva, and Anna.
Susan was a very special person. My sincere sympathy
Wayne adored Susan. He could never wait to see her. My Mom, Alice loved being a stepmom to Susan. Susan was a class act. My love to you Skip, Anna, and Eva. Peace
Love Al and Mary Campbell
I knew Sue school In high school. She was a lovely kind sweet person then and the past years our neighbor. She always wore the same beautiful smile. Deepest sympathy to Skip and daughters and grandchildren.
The words by others are a true tribute to Sue’s personality and the touch she had on others. I have missed our driveway chats and AAUW sisterhood. We will always value the gentle and deeply thoughtful person she was. I wish I could speak to her one more time.
Deepest condolences to Skip and girls….fond memories of your visit with us in Oregon
So nice to hear from you. It was such a nice visit we had so many years now. Bring me up to date when you have some time. If you would like to view the service there is a link at the end of Sue’s obituary. Have a nice holiday season, say hello to Joe.
Susan was my 1st cousin and she will definitely be missed. She was always funny and kind and smart. I loved being around her when I was young. I admired her.
I’m so sorry for the loss of this lovely woman. My heart goes out to Skip, Ana and Eva, Bert and Jeannie and our family. She was indeed a true gem!
Susan was a kind and gentle person with a twinkle in her eye. I have missed our thoughtful conversations. Hugs to her family.
Skip, I’m so sorry for your, and our, loss of this wonderful women. If there is anything that I can do to help, let me know. 612-669-9604.
Bill and I both enjoyed our time spent with Sue and you, Skip. Many years of AAUW membership, visiting at the Coffee Concerts on the University campus, and yes, the many years of playing bridge – all delightful times with a delightful person. Our sympathy to you and to your family.
Sue was a lovely person. We feel lucky to have run into her and Skip in line at Caribou in Family Fresh just weeks ago.
Skip, I’m so sorry about the passing of your wife.
Karen was telling us what a wonderful person she was.
Marlene Fahning here. Old neighbor from the driveway off Glover Road. So sorry to read of sues death. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Skip, Eva, and Anna:
On this Thanksgiving Day, I am feeling grateful for Susan having been part of my life. She had a gentle intellect and the ability to say much with few words. She exuded grace and hospitality. My thoughts are with you today.
Dear Skip:
I am so sorry to hear of Sue’s passing. It has been many, many years since I had the absolute pleasure of teaching with Sue, and almost as many years since I have seen either of you. Sue was such an absolute delightful person. Tonight I was thinking of some of our teaching friends at SJHS from 50 years ago…wondering how they were doing and where they were. My thought was if anyone knew about them it would be Sue. My “investigating” led me to discover this site. I pray for the peace and comfort of the Lord to be with you and your family. Be richly blessed.
Add Comment