Susan Grambsch

Susan E. Grambsch, 71, Loyal, stepped into the arms of Jesus on Friday, March 12, 2021, at the home she adored surrounded by her loving husband and children. Services will be held at 3 p.m., on Friday, March 19, at Faith Fellowship in Marshfield. Pastor Brian Alarid, a close family friend from Albuquerque, will officiate. Visitation will be held at Cuddie Funeral Home in Loyal on Thursday, March 18, from 5-7 p.m., and again at the church on Friday, March 19, from 2 p.m. until the service begins.

Susan Elizabeth Anderson was born on Sept. 26, 1949, in Park Ridge, Ill., to Charles E. and Ruth E. (nee Marsh) Anderson. They later moved to Downers Grove, Ill., and she was part of Downers Grove South High School’s very first graduating class in 1967. Sue went on to UW-Madison where she would meet the love of her life, C. Robert Grambsch. They met for the first time on their first date on Feb. 22, 1968. “The Graduate” had just premiered in theaters and was a big hit; so big, the theater had oversold the showing and they had to sit huddled together on the steps to watch the movie. Exactly one year later, Robert put a ring on her finger at Paisan’s over pizza and champale. They married a year and a half after on Aug. 22, 1970, surrounded by family and friends, including all four of their grandmothers.

After graduating from college, Bob and Sue moved back to Bob’s hometown of Loyal in the fall of 1971 to help in his Dad’s business. Sue was hired at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield, where she worked from 1971 until she retired in May 2019. During her 48 years of dedicated service, she was honored with numerous awards and became the hospital’s first quality improvement coordinator. But honestly, none of that really mattered to her, other than what it provided for her family. Bob and Sue loved and raised their six children into God-loving adults who started families of their own and 50 years later the house that love grew is bursting at the seams with spouses, 15 grandchildren, and even one great-granddaughter. Sue loved cooking, baking, and celebrating her family with huge get-togethers for holidays, birthdays, and “just because” days! Ten different pies with made-from-scratch crust for Thanksgiving, 26 different kinds of cookies and fudge for Christmas, cheesy potatoes and pistachio torte for Easter, and each kid’s favorite meal and cake for their birthdays, she knew how to make each one of us feel loved and make life as a Grambsch special. The house was usually full and it was her absolute joy to be surrounded by her family. Bob and Sue celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past August with all 28 of us in the house Bob’s dad built for his mom in 1965 (their son Josh lives there now). We made a cake with the cake topper from their wedding cake on it. Their great love created a legacy, a legacy of the power of God in our lives, of being a light in the darkness, of beauty from the ashes. Sue’s quiet strength and enduring faith in her Savior during her short, very hard battle with cancer is yet another testament to the amazing life she lived full of love -- God’s love!

Sue is survived by her husband, Robert, of Loyal; her children: Heather of Green Bay, Benjamin (Brandi) of Loyal, Joshua (Margaret) of Loyal, Sarah (Jeff) Mulder of Rio Rancho, N.M., Matthew (Melissa) of Greenwood, and Nathan (Courtney) of Amherst; her 15 grandchildren: Gabrielle (Ben) Stratman, Bailey, Caleb, Melanie, Lucas, Chase, Coleton, Caleb, Caden, Keston, Eden, Johnathan, Kayla, Elizabeth, and Michael; her great-granddaughter, Luca; her two brothers, Charles (Mary) and John; and many other relatives and dear friends.

Sue was preceded in death by her grandparents; her parents; and her older sister, Marsha DeBenedictis.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. Sue loved children and cancer took her from us way too soon.

We ARE because you WERE; Robert’s Sweetheart, our Mom, our Grandma, our Great-Grandma. I’ll say it again. We ARE because You WERE!!!!

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.

PAID OBITUARY 102168