Susan G. Bruss, age 59, of Marshall, passed away at her residence from cancer on Sunday, September 13, 2009. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, September 17, 2009 at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Marshall. Burial will be in the Marshall Cemetery. Visitation will be 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M with a 7:30 P.M. prayer service Wednesday at the Hamilton Funeral Home. Visitation will continue at the church on Thursday, one hour prior to the service.
Susan Gaye Bruss was born to parents Galen George and Mary Ann Jane (Wagner) Werpy on July 12, 1950 in Madison, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed at the Faith Lutheran church in Madison and graduated from the Madison High School. She went on to Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall where she received her B.S. degree in Physical Education K-12. She also went on for graduate classes at South Dakota State University and Mankato State University.
On November 20, 1971, Susan was united in marriage to Orlin Eugene Bruss at St. Stephen Lutheran Church. They lived in Rochester and moved to Marshall where she first enjoyed doing daycare out of her home until her son entered Kindergarten. She then worked for REM, the Battered Women’s Shelter, Midwest Childcare Resource and Referral, and for the past two years she was a paraprofessional at Parkside Elementary.
Susan peacefully passed away at her residence surrounded by her family on Sunday, September 13, 2009 after a courageous battle with breast cancer. She had reached the age of 59 years, 2 months and 1 day.
She is survived by her husband of 37 years, Orlin of Marshall; two children, Tabitha (Mike) Melvin of Mankato and Nathan (Melissa) Bruss of Marshall; five grandchildren, Reese and Jocelyn Melvin, Andon , Ethan and Callin Bruss; three sisters, Barb (Gerry) Hallaway of Cottage Grove, Deborah (Douglas) Rome of Eagan and Pamela (David) Miller of Alexandria; two brothers, David (Melissa) Werpy of Stillwater and Todd (Marcy) Werpy of Illinois; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents whom she missed so much, aunts and uncles.
Susan’s enjoyments in life were spending time with friends and family, chocolate, shopping, sewing clothes for her grandchildren, reading, teaching children and making them laugh and spoiling her grandchildren. Susan particularly enjoyed spending time at her family lake home in Ottertail. She would sit on the deck and listen to the loons while enjoying a cup of coffee, troll for Northern or sunny fish with the grandchildren and she loved picking her garden. Susan will long be remembered for her kind heart, adorable laugh and ability to light up a room with her smile. She was always positive even in the tough times and thought of everyone else before herself. Susan was a giver- a giver of hope, laughter, time, knowledge, friendship and most importantly love. She received the Distinguished Leader Award in 2005 for her role in early childhood education.
Susan was a faithful member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church at the time of her death.
Blessed Be The Memory Of Susan Bruss