Obit: Halopka, Susan Mae (1952 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Goodier, Graham, Halopka, Kasperek, Kirchner, Kussrow, Landwehr, Stuttgen, Swanson

----Source: The Tribune-Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 12/28/2018

Halopka, Susan Mae (Swanson) (7 NOV 1952 - 22 DEC 2018)

Susan Mae Halopka, age 66, of Dorchester, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2018, at her home.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Milan. Father George Graham will preside. Interment will follow at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome from 4 until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 26, at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at the church.

Susan was born on Nov. 7, 1952, the daughter of Neil and Beverly (Goodier) Swanson in Red Wing, Minn. She graduated from Black River Falls High School and received a degree from UW-Eau Claire. On May 13, 1972, Susan was united in marriage to Gary Halopka in Eau Claire. After her marriage, Sue and Gary farmed for 40 years. After their retirement, she still enjoyed driving tractors and helping with the family business.

Susan enjoyed her many travels including Alaska, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Australia, hunting in Colorado and Africa and fishing in Canada. She also went on numerous cruises and enjoyed gambling at casinos. Susan enjoyed their numerous trips to Canada where they had two cabins, one of which she helped remodel. She also enjoyed snowmobiling, shopping for her family, baking and making Fuji bars with the funny bottoms. She was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Milan. Susan was full of life; always smiling, joking and giggling. She lived by her senior quote: “Laughter is regional, a smile extends over the whole face.” Most importantly, she cherished her family and would always be willing to help them.

Susan is survived by her husband, Gary; five children, Tammy (Joe) Kirchner of Memphis, Mo., Travis Halopka (Lita Landwehr) of Abbotsford, Adam (Vicki) Halopka of Athens, April (Darin) Kussrow of Medford and Casey Halopka (Kerrie Kasperek) of Stetsonville; 11 grandchildren, Megan Kirchner, Ty, Brock and Mason Halopka, Sahanna Kussrow, Tori Halopka, Hallie Halopka, Kierra Kussrow, Kierstyn, Devyn and Harper Halopka. She is further survived by three brothers, Robert (Sherie) Swanson of Cody, Wyo., Richard (Jayne) Swanson of Milwaukee and James (Gwen) Swanson of Menomonie; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Marge and Eugene Halopka; a brother-in-law, Daryl Halopka; a sister-in-law, Linda Halopka; and two nephews, Ryan and Chad Stuttgen.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.