Susan Stoessel

STOESSEL, SUSAN ANN, June 26, 2011, surrounded by her loving family. Beloved mother of Katalyn Shirley Stoessel; dearest daughter of Jack and Shirley Stoessel; loving sister of David (the late Doris) and Daniel (Joan) Stoessel, Sally (Carl) Gottlieb and Kurt (Jenifer) Stoessel. Our dear aunt, cousin, niece and friend. Memorials to American Kidney Foundation are appreciated. Please share condolences online at: www.jlzfuneralhome.com Services: Friday 10:00 am at JOHN L. ZIEGENHEIN & SONS (South County), 4830 Lemay Ferry Road. Interment Lakewood Park. VISITATION THURSDAY 5 - 8 PM. **The following tribute was written by Susan's mother, Shirley: Susan made her appearance into this world on June 12, 1954 and was greeted by her big brother David, almost 3 years old. Another brother Daniel, sister Sally and brother Kurt added to the joy of Jack & Shirley Stoessel. When she was 2 days odl, her picture was on the front page of the Post-Dispatch. Deaconess Hospital was having a homecoming for their Alumi and it so happened that 3 of the graduates were on the maternity division. Since news was very slow that day, a picture of the 3 mothers and their babes, became the front page news of the day. Susan had a bow in her hair, the other babes were boys. Growing up in Kirkwood, Susan was involved in Girl Scouts and Jobs Daughters. She enjoyed babysitting to earn pocket money and loved to play the piano, which she did very well. Susan's Aunt & Uncle, Hilda & Frank Gerardot were stationed for 5 years in Bangkok, Thailand, where Frank worked for the Department of State. Susan was invited to spend part of the summer with them and so with the help of her Uncle Otto, she flew to Frankfort, Germany, then to Pakistan and on to Bangkok. The Geradot's lived in a penthouse of a 22 story apartment and Susan really enjoyed her cousins Janet, Frank and Denise as well as the chauffer, cook and maid. When she returned home, she again landed in Frankfort -her funds were low! She found that if she saw a GI walking along the street and identified herslf as an American, they were so delighted to meet someone from the States the GI's would end up taking her to dinner. On her return home, she began her education at Southeast Missouri State University, planning to major in music. After a time she switched her major to Political Science and graduated Suma Cum Laude. While in college at SEMO, she applied for an internship in DC for Senator Jerry Litton, she loved living in D.c and living at the YWCA, where she met her life long friend Karen Kitching, who is here with our family at this sad time. Susan recieved a scholarship to George Washington University in Washington DC, completeing her masters degree in Political Science, graduating Magna Cum Laude. As part oif the scholarship, she was required to work for the government for 3 years. She loved her job as a Compliance Specialist for the Federal Government. Unfortunately, about the age of 27 her health began to deteriorate and it was mutually decided she would return to St. Louis until her health improved. Susan loved being back in St. Louis with her brothers and sisters and now there were nieces and nephews to enjoy. She also joined the Metro Singers and loved being with so many friends and singing at Powell Hall. One Christmas the group sang "The 12 Days of Christmas" and if you look at the picture boards you can see Susan as one of the "Eight Maids a Milking." After regaining her health, Susan decided to stay in St. Louis and was employed by the U.S. Department of Wage and Hour, where she won many awards and eventually became the Assistant Deputy Director. About this time, the joy of her life, Katalyn, came into her life. For the first month Katalyn was in foster care with Sister Mary Jo, a nun. Sister Mary Jo lived in a large Victorian home near Grand & Russell with four other nuns. Susan was allowed to visit for one hour on Saturdays and that was the highlight of her week. The sisters always had a party on Saturday nights and on holiday's and Mardi Gras the table would be decorated with balloons and steamers. Eventually Susan's health again declined. She retired form the government and started a consulting business giving seminars and speeches as her health would allow. Then poor health intervened again. After surgery, she had many other health issues, including cardiac arrest and a major stroke. The neurosurgeon told her parents that they should think of "pulling the plug." Susan must have heard them because her health began to improve. Susan enjoyed her church, the Crusade Baptist Temple and her many friends there. Her Pastor has helped her sustain her faith through many trials and tribulations. Susan has endured much pain and disappointment in her life, but she has kept her faith, thanks to her friends and family. She had a life well lived and was loved by many. She will be truly missed by us all. Through the years, sitting at her bedside, holdiing her hand & trying to help her through the pain & misery, Susan and I developed special bonds. One of these was the initials SPMH. All her cards and letters to me were signed SPMH and all my letters and cards to her were signed to my SPMH. We never told anyone their meaning. Now I will tell you - SPMH- stands for "Special Part of Mother's Heart." ~Goodbye, no more pain my Special Part of Mother's Heart! June 30, 2011
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

JOHN L. ZIEGENHEIN & SONS
4830 Lemay Ferry Road
Saint Louis, MO 63129
(314) 894-8444
July 01, 2011
10:00 AM

JOHN L. ZIEGENHEIN & SONS
4830 Lemay Ferry Road
Saint Louis, MO 63129
(314) 894-8444