Obit: Tlusty, Susan Lee (1919 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Anderson, Bucher, Hanson, Krieg, Meulemans, Meyering, Peterson, Poff, Premeau, Stone, Tlusty

----Source: WIGM/WKEB Obituaries (Medford, WI) 10/29/2015

Tlusty, Susan Lee (Premeau) (11 DEC 1919 - 23 OCT 2015)

Susan Lee Tlusty, age 69, passed away on Friday, October 23, 2015 at her residence under the care of Hope Hospice.

Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, October 28, 2015 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Rib Lake, with Father Otto Bucher & Father Dennis Meulemans, officiating.

Cremainal Inurnment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery in Rib Lake at a later date.

Visitation will be at 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at Hemer Funeral Home in Rib Lake and also 10:00 A.M. until time of services Wednesday October 28, 2015 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Rib Lake.

Susan was born on September 24, 1946 in Westboro, to Ed and Viola (Poff) Premeau.

She received her education in Westboro Public Schools. Susan knew in 1st grade that she wanted to be a teacher. She had wonderful teachers and loved recess where she played with friends on swings, monkey bars and teeter totters. Sue graduated high school in 1964 and went on to graduate from UW Stevens Point in 1968.

Sue married the love of her life and best friend Wayne Tlusty, on July 18, 1970 at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church.

Susan enjoyed a wonderful childhood. She spent many hours playing outside in all seasons, going on picnics in the yard, along the creek, under the big pine tree and fishing on Twin Lake.

Her mom and dad were her best friends. Time with her mom was spent cooking, baking, canning, making jelly, washing clothes with a wringer washer, hanging them out to dry in the sun and wind; planting a garden, caring for it, and harvesting the produce. Time with dad was spent working on projects in the garage like straightening nails, going to the swamp to cut a tamarack for a gate pole. Also, digging worms and going fishing with both mom and dad.

After graduating from UW Stevens Point, Sue began her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher at Maine Elementary in the Wausau Public Schools in Wausau for two years. In March of 1970, Sue bought a Jeep with dreams of moving to and teaching in Alaska. Her plans changed and after her marriage to Wayne, they moved to Vancouver, British Columbia.

Sue taught children from immigrant families in a multicultural school and also taught in an upper-class British neighborhood. She found that living near an ocean, in a large city and learning new customs was both challenging and exciting! After a year in Canada, Sue and Wayne arrived in Ketchikan, Alaska and their Jeep arrived by ship.

They lived in a home on the shore of the Pacific Ocean. Sue and Wayne hiked in the mountains, fished for salmon & halibut, picked huge salmonberries and blueberries in the magnificent rain forest and traveled by ferry to areas along the Inland Passage. A great trip was one on the Narrow Gauge Railroad and on to Dawson City, exploring the route of the Gold Rush.

Sue taught in a team teaching classroom, ages 5-8 until she was transferred to a newly built open classroom with ages 5-10. Each teacher on the staff was from a different state and Sue treasured this experience. She continued her education with classes from UW Alaska. The next move was to the “Big Sky Country” of Libby, Montana where they bought a beautiful home in the mountains.

Sue and Wayne spent weekends and summers hiking in the wilderness, visiting Glacier National Park, traveling to the Oregon Coast and going north to Banff or Jasper Parks in Canada. Sue also enjoyed gardening, canning, biking, cross-country skiing and playing volleyball.

Sue helped to develop the curriculum for Libby’s first Public Kindergarten School. She taught kindergarten for 4 years of which she loved every minute of it where she was able to meet and learn with teachers from various states. She also continued her education with classes taken at University of Washington.

Sue returned to Wisconsin in 1978, where she moved to Middleton. She taught 2nd grade in Middleton for 12 years and continued her education at UW- Madison. She was an active member of the Universities Women’s Club. For the first time, Sue experienced suburban life and it resulted in many friendships which she always treasured.

Sue and Wayne travels took them to San Francisco, Yosemite, Vancouver, BC, Isle Royal, Boundary Waters, Zion & Bryse, Santo Fe, Prince Edward Island, New Foundland, New Zealand and a canoe trip down the Missouri. In 1999, Sue had to retire due to Multiple Sclerosis that was progressing.

Plans for a retirement of travel changed and in 2000, Sue and Wayne bought a lake lot in Rib Lake. Wayne designed a beautiful wheelchair accessible home and built in the 2001. She enjoyed watching birds, visiting friends, reading, learning, working at the computer, and taking day trips to nearby areas. Sue loved teaching & learning, traveling & spending time with her husband, family and friends.

Sue believed to “Find Joy & Wonder in each day and Always, always…remember to smile”

She is survived by her beloved husband and best friend, Wayne Tlusty; nieces and nephews, Terrie (Ed) Anderson, Peg Stone, Mindy (Dan) Krieg, Cindy (Mark) Meyering, Jackie (Mark) Peterson and Dave (Cheryl) Hanson; further survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews; siblings Gerry Hanson, and Eddie Premeau.

Sue is predeceased by her parents, Ed and Viola (Poff) Premeau, and a sister-in-law, Ailene Premeau.

In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Sue may be made to Hope Hospice and Palliative Care, Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, and Good Shepherd Catholic Church.

For online condolences, please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com. 

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