Susanne (Sue) Kettner

Susanne Jean Kettner, 81, died unexpectedly at Aspirus Wausau Hospital on Tuesday, September 27th, 2022, with family by her side.

Susanne was born August 31st, 1941, the oldest of four children born to Marian and Vernon Weinkauf. Growing up the eldest, she spent many hours providing care for her younger siblings. She had a strong sense of integrity, inherited from her father, and a strong work ethic, which she passed on to her children and grandchildren. As a child, her family lived on 6th street

in Wausau, running a filling station. At the age of 14 in 1956, they moved to a farm in the Town of Texas.

On April 14th, 1959, she married Elmer Kettner Sr. in Wausau, WI. Together they had four children: Vicki Bootz, Elmer Kettner Jr. (Rusty), Jesse Kettner, and Velvet Kouba. Throughout her life, Sue worked extremely hard to support her family and made sacrifices to ensure that her children had what they needed in life to succeed. Truly a gift from God, she was the anchor of the family. Her concern and care was always shown in everything she did. Her

family always came first.

Like all of us, Sue experienced many joys and sorrows during her life. Among them was a great sadness that the family experienced when her son, Jesse, was killed at the age of 15 in 1981. She used her insights into death and dying, learned with this tragedy, to help her clients who were facing tragedy themselves. Her joys came from her surviving children, grandchildren,

and then great-grandchildren. They were many. She loved her family more than words can express.

For her grandchildren, she was a loving and doting grandmother, being dubbed "Pinkgrandma" by granddaughter Angela. She made it a point to support her grandchildren in any activity they participated in. Sue was blessed with seven loving grandchildren, which were her life: Daniel, Heather, Tylor, Shannon, Angela, Josh, and Max, and three exceptionally

wonderful great-grandchildren: Sophia, Cora, and Liam. She was a devoted grandmother.

Sue had several jobs before finding her passion working at Family Planning Health Services as a health educator. She had a caring heart and it showed through her 39 years of work there. Clients knew their cares and concerns would be held in strictest confidence and given thought and caring information from which to make their decisions. She exhibited kindness,

consideration, and compassion for all she encountered, excelling in her career as a health educator. Sue traveled to schools and communities throughout the state, sharing her vast knowledge about family planning. She was profoundly sensitive and intuitive, somehow knowing the needs of her clients and how to serve them respectfully and with generosity. In light

of her dedication and many years of service at Family Planning Health Services, she received a lifetime achievement award on October 18th, 2013.

Sue was committed to her community and was involved in many organizations. She was a 4-H leader and General Leader of the Texas Ramblers for 20 years. She volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, as a member of the family selection committee and family support committee, and also served as an officer. Her career even led her to expand her knowledge across seas to

Ukraine, where she helped set up a reproductive clinic.

After retiring from Family Planning Health Services, Sue wanted to stay busy. Due to her love of children, she began working at Wausau Childcare. She continued on to her present job as a Church Secretary at Peace United Church of Christ. Through her work with the church and congregation she strengthened her spiritual faith and made many friends. She truly enjoyed her

seven plus years there, even when family encouraged her to retire.

Sue had many hobbies, including genealogy, which led her to connect with relatives and do some traveling. She took great delight in sharing family history through stories. Sue also had a love of reading and could read a book in record time. Thanks to her love of reading, she always wanted to write a book as well. She had started compiling notes for a future publication. Other

activities she enjoyed included canning, sewing, thrifting, selling vintage items on Ebay, and spending quality time with family. She enjoyed catching up with her dear friend Sylvia, even though she lived out of state. Due to her competitive nature, which was passed down to her grandchildren, she loved playing Canasta and other games with her sisters and family. She was

deeply loved by her family and left a positive mark on everyone she met.

Mom, you mean more to this family than any of us can put into words. You've been there for us through good and bad, and you've supported us time and again. Thank you for your love, your hard work, and your support. You are the heart of our family. You will be greatly missed.

Sue is survived by her children Vicki (Douglas) Bootz of Wausau, Velvet (Mike) Kouba of Tomahawk, and Elmer (Brenda) Kettner Jr., also of Wausau. Sue is further survived by seven grandchildren: Dan Bootz, Heather (Jerrel) Fenhaus, Tylor (Dani) Fenhaus, Shannon (Kevin) Georgeson, Angela (Mike) Kettner/Cypert, Josh (Cassie) Kettner, and Max (Kate) Fenhaus, and

three great-grandchildren: Sophia, Cora, and Liam. She is also survived by three siblings: Linda (Ron) Graykowski, Ray (Sharon) Weinkauf, and Kathy Heller. In addition, Sue had many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Sue was preceded in death by her son Jesse and her parents Marian and Vernon Weinkauf.

Services and a celebration of life will be held at First Presbyterian Church at 406 Grant St., Wausau, Wisconsin on Saturday, October 8th, 2022. Pastor Joy Nelson-Jeffers will officiate. Time of visitation is 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Services at 11:00 AM. John Buettgen funeral home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at HonorOne.com