J. Susan Presslein
September 8, 1940 — October 18, 2010
J. Susan Presslein, age 70 of L'Anse, MI went to be with the Lord on Monday, October 18, 2010 at her home with her family at her side. "Susie" fought a courageous battle against melanoma for the past nine years. She was born in L'Anse, Michigan on September 8, 1940, the child of the late Judge F. Clyde Campbell and Judge Mae Elizabeth (Cosgrove) Campbell. Susie grew up and attended school in L'Anse, graduating from L'Anse High School with the class of 1958. She then attended Northern Michigan University, graduating with a Bachelors' of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1962.
Susie began her teaching career in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin at Shady Lane Elementary School. While residing in Wisconsin she met the love of her life, Karl Presslein, Jr. Susie and Karl eloped to Las Vegas, Nevada and were married at the Gretna Green Chapel on October 1, 1965. They recently celebrated their 45th Anniversary with their children, grandchildren, and good friends. Susie and Karl returned to L'Anse in the early winter of 1965. Susie taught the third grade at the L'Anse Elementary School known as the "Red School" and then at C.J. Sullivan Elementary when it opened prior to beginning her role as a mother. Seventeen years later she returned to teaching when her youngest child entered kindergarten. She taught sixth grade within the C. J. Sullivan and then at L'Anse Middle School when it opened until her retirement in 2006.
In addition to teaching Susie was a talented florist. At the prompting of Harry and Mary Whittum, Susie and Karl turned a large home on Third Street into a flower shop in L'Anse. Karl and Susie attended floral school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and then operated The Green House from 1966 until their retirement 2007.
She was a member of United Lutheran Church, alter guild, Sunday school teacher, KBIC, Ojibwa Seniors, L'Anse Lions Club, Red Hats, Yooper Ladies, Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, girl scout leader, parent taxi and supporter of her children's hockey, ballet, swimming, basketball, baseball, volleyball, summer camp, odyssey of the mind, and countless other activities.
Susie and Karl loved to travel, take wild road trips "just up to the next intersection" or in the Flower Power truck with friends and family, and spend time with their children, grandchildren and close friends. Susie was known by many as the ultimate collector of the ladybug, the teacher who made history come alive, and as a parent who really was involved in the lives of her family and a person who cared about her community.
Susie is survived by her loving and attentive husband of 45 years, Karl, of L'Anse, MI. Her children are Stefan (and Cheryl) Presslein of St. Michael, MN, Heidi (and Heidi Jo) Presslein of Stillwater, MN, Trudi (and Mark) Koskinen of Waterford, MI, and Erich (and Tatum) Presslein of Zurich, Switzerland. Her grandchildren are Grace and Claire Presslein of St. Michael, MN and Karli and Morgan Koskinen of Waterford, MI. She is also survived by her brother Frank (and Lis) Campbell of Grand Rapids, MI, sister-in-law Mary Campbell of Bowling Green, Kentucky, brother-in-law John (and Carol) Presslein of West Palm Beach, FL, and her nieces/nephews Robert (and Trish) Campbell, Mark (and Kristen) Campbell, MaiBritt (and Joey) Hahn, Susan (and John) Hetzel, Kathy (and Wayne) Clemon, Lori (and Ross) Hartwig, Mary (and Ken "Red") Weninger, Neal Feller, Judy Greaker, Debbie (and Roland) Whiting, Janet (and Brian) Boettcher, Daniel (and Paula) Presslein, Mark (and Erin) Presslein, along with her great (even great-great) nieces and nephews, and exchange student son Reto (Aline) Gmunder of Biel, Switzerland and their children Max, Nina, and Elias.
Susie is preceded in death by her parents, brother Sam Campbell, sister and brother-in-law Trudy (and Victor) Feller, and niece Sharon Campbell.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 20th from 5-8:00 PM at the Jacobson Funeral Home and on Thursday, October 21st from 10-11:00 a.m. at the United Lutheran Church in L'Anse. Her funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the United Lutheran Church with Rev. Peter Warmanen officiating. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund will be established.
Friends may sign Susie's guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.