Obit: Jilk, Susan Marie (1958 - 2018)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Diermeier, Gordon, Jilk, Kaiser, Kuzma, Leitermann, Mroczenski, Newhart, Norquist, Sorenson, Whitaker

----Source: The Record - Review (Athens, Edgar, Marathon, Stratford, WI) 12/26/2018

Jilk, Susan “Sue” Marie (Leitermann) (28 MAY 1958 - 23 DEC 2018)

Susan “Sue” Marie (Leitermann) Jilk, age 60, passed on peacefully to be with her Savior on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018, at home with her one and only true love (husband Steven) by her side. Susan battled colitis for 45 years. Her colitis disease led to her journey through PSC, Cholangiocarcinoma and liver transplant the last 10 years of her life. Susan’s faith in God carried her through the rough times.

She was born May 28, 1958, to Allan and Marcella (Mroczenski) Leitermann of Marathon, they survive. Susan and Steve married May 10, 1980, at The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish, Marathon. They met at St. Anthony’s Retreat Center, Marathon.

Sue was a stay-at-home mom, who home schooled her two children. One of Sue’s greatest joys was spending time helping her children “organize” new homes. She had a bit of a passion with being organized. While raising children, Sue owned a successful home-based window treatment business that she took over from her mother. She enjoyed singing on the Praise and Worship Team at her local church. Listening, singing and playing music brought joy to her soul. She played keyboard, flute and guitar. Another passion was to preserve memories in her journal scrapbooks. Traveling with her husband was always a highlight for Sue. From their cabin to over 30 states they explored life together, with Hawaii being her favorite place. They also loved to ballroom dance, either on the dance floor or practicing at home.

Late in life she added writing to her many talents. She wrote many stories for her grandchildren. Her big project was a published book about her health and her faith in God that helped her persevere through all her challenges. (As The Sun Was Setting by Susan Jilk.) Sue spent many hours in her flower gardens and in the kitchen. Countless hours were spent canning fruits and veggies from the garden, and baking for friends and family. Sue was a caretaker to all who needed help. She took the term “pay it forward” to a new level. She could be sick in the hospital one day and a week later cooking and baking for a sick friend. A faithful servant she was. Compassion was a huge part of her life, not only caring for her one pound baby son, adopted daughter, four foster children and especially helping to care for her 100 year old grandmother.

Sue enjoyed starting a book club with her sister that brought balance to her life. A gathering of women supporting each other. Sue was a social butterfly and enjoyed spending as much time as she could with her family, friends and her cousins. She LOVED planning and hosting tea parties. Sue was very passionate about organ donation, and to share with others the gift of life she received with her own liver transplant that gave her family five more precious years with her. Her two little grand babies gave her the will to fight to the very end. Her last big ear to ear smile came as a little girl came running into the house yelling, “Nana! I’m here!” with her toy doctor kit in hand.

Besides her husband and parents, Sue is survived by a son, Jason Jilk, Marathon; daughter, Dawn (Lucas) Gordon, Tomah; grandchildren, Cole and Ella Gordon; brother Ken (Bonnie) Leitermann; sister, Brenda (Kevin Sorenson) Kaiser; brothers and sisters-in-law, Roger and Shirlene Jilk, Thomas and Paula Jilk, Donald and Stella Jilk, Shirley and Bill Newhart, Barbara and John Norquist, and Judith and George Kuzma.

She is preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Elmer and Eleanor Leitermann; maternal grandparents, John and Tillie Mroczenski; infant baby Jilk in 1980; and daughter, Faith Marie Jilk in 1981.

A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, at Highland Community Church, Marathon. Pastor Brian Whitaker will preside. Visitation will be at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Graveside service will be following at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Marathon, with Fr. Joseph Diermeier presiding.

John J. Buettgen Funeral Home is assisting the family.

For a complete obituary and online condolences, please visit www.honorone.com.