Sue Kiesewetter

On the evening of Wednesday, June 7, 2017, Sue Ann Kiesewetter lost her valiant fight for life against overwhelming medical odds and, surrounded by close family members, peacefully succumbed at the age of 68. Sue was born in St. Louis, Missouri on May 17, 1949 to Ann and Warren Kiesewetter. She lived her entire life in South St Louis and South St. Louis County. Sue graduated from Lindbergh High School, earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in English Literature/Education from Mizzou, and received a Masters of Arts degree in English/Teaching from Webster University. For 14 years she taught English at McKinley High School; she also served a stint as an Assistant Professor of English at Fontbonne University. Following her career as an educator, Sue worked as a free-lance corporate writer and marketing specialist in addition to working in the marketing, training, and/or communications departments for United Van Lines, Magna Bank, and Lee Hecht Harrison, where she achieved the positions of Vice President/Senior Consultant, Vice President/Senior Proposal and Presentation Specialist, and Director of Content Marketing. Sue retired from Lee Hecht Harrison in 2015. Sue was a member of numerous professional writers and marketing organizations. Sue was a brilliant story teller. She had the gift of being able to see things in other people and ordinary human activities that most people would miss. She also had the ability to weave those unique observations and factual details into her writings, which often were laced with her dry wit and insightful humor. Sue cared little for the details of everyday life that many people fret over (e.g., a balanced check book, an organized closet, a loose kitchen cabinet door, a timely oil change for her car) but she cared greatly about the quality of her writing and the accuracy of the research supporting her stories and articles. While she had a laid-back approach to much of life's minutiae and would procrastinate over such things as household repairs and dental appointments, Sue was a punctual, driven, perfectionist when it came to her writing and professional projects. In her youth, Sue was an outstanding softball player, batting over .800 in one season. She played for the Polito Donut Lovers team in South St. Louis. She also was a lifelong Cardinals fan and serious movie buff. Throughout her life, Sue's Cocker Spaniels provided her with joy, companionship, and comfort. While she certainly spoiled her dogs, they always were gentle and well behaved girls and they all adored her as much as she loved them. Sue also was an avid reader of everything from Milton to "People" and enjoyed trivia games, especially when the questions centered on English literature or pop culture. As her nieces and nephews would attest, Sue was the "best Aunt ever," providing them with fun activities and adventuresome experiences, being a safe and trusted listener, and offering them encouragement and support, as well as nonjudgmental thoughtful advice. She loved each of them unconditionally. Sue also devoted part of her life to caring for her aging parents. Her unselfish support and assistance allowed them to extend the time they were able to safely live in their own home. Of course, since she was a great cook, other family members often dropped by to visit around dinner time -- especially when they knew her lasagna or spaghetti and meat balls would be on the menu! As a sister, Sue always was there to support and boost her "little" and "big" brothers when they were down or having difficulty facing life's challenges, to celebrate with them over their accomplishments, to enjoy the company of their sports and political banter, and to properly humble them and bring them back to reality when they were too full of themselves. She attended more baseball and soccer games than should have been allowed. Somehow she always had the time and patience for "her boys." While Sue was generous with her money and time when it came to family members, especially her parents and those nieces and nephews she believed were so special, she lived her personal life in a moderate, if not frugal manner. Sue relished the simple pleasures of life, such as a sunny day, a soft summer breeze, a freshly fallen snow, her small flower garden, a happy playful puppy, spending time with her family, reading, and watching movies and the Cardinals. In addition, while Sue had a strong moral compass and was committed to a set of liberal, socially responsible values, she didn't proselytize to those around her; Sue never wanted conflict to cloud her personal relationships with those she cared about. In sum, Sue was an intelligent, educated, talented, interesting, clever, funny, honest, dependable, caring, insightful, "one-of-a-kind" person who contributed much to all she touched on her journey through life and who is, and will be forever dearly missed by everyone in her family and her circle of friends. She was a great daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend to many. The indelible impact she has made on her family and friends will live on into the future in their thoughts and hearts. Sue was preceded in death by her father, Warren Kiesewetter, and mother, Ann Kiesewetter, and is survived by her brothers, Jay Kiesewetter (Sharon LaRue) and Mark Kiesewetter (Sheryl), her nieces and nephews, Jennifer Kiesewetter, Sarah Wood, Elizabeth Fax (Austin), Michael Kiesewetter, and Thomas Kiesewetter, and her great nieces and nephews, Megan Wolfkill, Brandon Wolfkill, Connor Wood, and Danielle Wood. She also is survived by her cousins Carol Bruce and Joan Rangel (Tom). A gathering and visitation open to all of Sue's family, friends, and friends of her family will be held at the John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Home (South County), 4830 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO. (63129); https://www.ziegenheinfuneralhome.com) from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Saturday, June 24, 2017 and all are invited to attend a Memorial Program commemorating and celebrating Sue's life that will begin at 3:00 pm. Private interment funeral services will occur sometime in the future for family only. In lieu of flowers, charitable memorial gifts may be sent to Stray Rescue of St Louis, Animal Protective Association of Missouri, Humane Society of Missouri, or your personal favorite charity. June 24, 2017
01:00 pm - 03:00 pm
John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Home South County
4830 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis County, Missouri 63129
June 24, 2017
03:00 pm -
John L. Ziegenhein & Sons Funeral Home South County
4830 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis County, Missouri 63129