Susan J. Retseck

Susan J. Retseck
July 1, 1939 - November 11, 2024 

Susan Jane Retseck, 85, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 11, 2024, at her home, following loving farewells to family and friends. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, November 21, 2024 at St. Mary the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Buffalo & 10th Streets, Michigan City, Indiana with  Rev. Pat Gaza and Rev. Walter Rakoczy officiating. Entombment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 pm -7:00 pm, Wednesday and from 8:30 am - 9:30 am Thursday at the Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, 418 Washington St., Michigan City, IN.   

Sue was born July 1, 1939, to the late Theodore and Frances (Grott) Kreshock. On November 30, 1963, she married Ronald Warren Retseck, who preceeded her in death on January 7, 2023. 

Sue graduated from St. Mary's High School and received her bachelor's degree from the College of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. She later earned her master's in education from Valparaiso University. 

Sue taught at St. Mary's Grade School for a total of 34 years. She started with the 6th grade following graduation from college in 1961 and taught for 3 years before leaving to raise her family. Once the girls were all in school, she returned to St. Mary's and taught Music part-time for 2 years before transitioning to full-time in the primary grades. For 29 years, she taught mainly second grade until the school closed in 2003. She then spent 10 years working for St. Mary's Church in parish ministry, visiting the homebound and nursing home residents. She also taught religious education classes for many years. She volunteered as  a Brownie Girl Scout leader and at  St. Mary's Thrift Shop and St. Mary's Rectory. She also enjoyed several years working at Readers World in Marquette Mall.

Sue was a member of St. Mary the Immaculate Conception Church her entire life, where she sang with the choir and served as a Eucharistic Minister and on the parish council. 

Sue enjoyed reading mysteries, watching Jeopardy!, doing crossword puzzles, and playing Bingo at the Senior Center.

She is survived by her four daughters, Janet Retseck, Milwaukee, WI; Mary Dickirson, Fond du Lac, WI; Karen (James) Caughey, Indianapolis, IN; and Carol (William) Leirer, Castle Rock, CO; six grandchildren, Holland (John), Savanna, Keegan (Lizzie), Meika (Robert), Jessica, and Katie; and two great-grandchildren, Ireland and Henry. She is also survived by numerous former sixth and second graders and religious ed students. Wherever she went, it seemed a former student would recognize her and say hello, and after marveling at how they had grown up, she always remembered them, describing where they had sat or recalling some incident (often mischievous) from their time in her classroom. 

Sue is preceded in death by her sister, Hilda Baines, and her brother, Elmer (Skipper) Kreshock. 

The family would like to thank Dunes Hospice and her caregivers, especially Kathy.

Contributions may be made to St. Mary the Immaculate Conception Church, 411 W. 11th St., Michigan City, IN, 46360, or to Indiana Lions Cancer Control Fund, 8780 Purdue Road, Suite #10, Indianapolis, IN 46268.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Susan J. Retseck, please visit our floral store.