My heart has been heavy since hearing of Sue’s passing, and at the same time, there is great comfort knowing she is in heaven, rejoicing in God’s presence, and that we will see her again.
I have known Sue since we were about three year’s old. We lived across from the Kaesmeyer family on Court Street in Saginaw, MI. Our fathers taught at Michigan Lutheran Seminary and were good friends, as were our mothers. Sue and I attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Saginaw and usually walked together. We really appreciated a ride (a rarity) from her dad on several very cold winter days. I remember going to Camp Minnetonka with Sue one summer (her dad drove) and many times playing out in the back yards with Sue, Rachel, Jim and other “prof’s” kids. Many good memories.
Then my family moved at the end of 5th grade. However, my grandparents lived in Bay City, giving me opportunity to keep in touch with Sue every time we came back to Michigan, several times a year.
Sue visited me in Chicagoland after graduating high school (Lisle, IL) and also came from Michigan with my Mom when I graduated from University of Illinois, Champaign in 1990. We kept in touch and visited when she lived in Ypsilanti, Frankenmuth and also in Muskego.
There isn’t another friend I’ve known longer than Sue. She had a beautiful voice and was very good on guitar; we both loved music. She enjoyed gardening. Sue was remarkable in many ways, very caring, always asking about my family (and my family – including grandparents when they were alive – asked about her), and very strong in her faith, a wonderful example how to overcome difficulties by leaning on the Lord. One time I visited her, she showed me the chronological Bible she was reading, and inspired me to do the same. I am grateful that Sue was such a good Christian friend.
I wish to express my deep sympathy to Dots and the whole Kaesmeyer family. My Mom Dorothy sends her condolences as well. May God’s peace and comfort surround us all.
Linda Kriewall Evans