Susan Marie Brunsell
August 12, 1952 - January 03, 2020
Obituary
MADISON - Susan M. Brunsell, age 67, passed away on Friday, Jan. 3, 2020, at Belmont Nursing Home. She is finally at peace after a ten year-long battle with CADASIL. Susan was born on Aug. 12, 1952, in Madison, the daughter of Russell and Nancy (Egan) Roeder. She married Joseph Brunsell on Feb. 15, 1974, and they shared 45 years of marriage together.
Susan worked as a secretary for the University of Wisconsin Civil Engineering Department for over 40 years. She was passionate about animals and spent many years breeding both birds and dogs. Her love of exotic birds led her to serve as the Co-Membership Director of the Madison Caged Bird Society of Wisconsin in the late 1990s. Susan enjoyed spending her free time in her yard and tending to her garden. She always looked forward to going out to dinner with her husband twice every week, going treasure hunting with Beth and Jessi, and spending time with her mom when she visited from the East Coast twice each year. Sue was an avid reader of fiction. She loved the Beatles, Bonanza, Michael Jackson and Clay Matthews. Most of all, she loved spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren.
Susan is survived by her husband, Joseph; sisters, Jane Roeder and Beth (Jonathan) Somers; children, Jeff (Alexis) Brunsell, Joshua (April) Brunsell and Jessica Brunsell; eight grandchildren; stepsister, Kate; stepbrothers, Curt and Kevin Roeder; and many relatives and friends. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Marisa Dimatteo Roeder. She was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother, Mary Roeder; and brother, Bill Roeder.
A gathering will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, followed by a graveside service at Middleton Junction Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Karmenta, Belmont Nursing Home and Heartland Hospice for all their compassion and care over the past several years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to cureCADASIL.org in Susan’s name. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761
Events
Gathering
Mon Jan 13, 2020 @ 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Middleton • 7435 University Ave., Middleton, WI 53562
Photos
No photos of Susan have been shared yet.
Memories
GL
Genene Lynott
Other •
I remember the first day that Sue walked into our 8th grade class at Immaculate Heart of Mary. It didn't take long before we became fast friends! In high school we were on the schools bowling league, we went to concerts, drove laps around the capitol square, ate at Kings restaurant on the square (where you phoned your order in), canoed the lakes of Monona, hiked on "Tiki and Jarvis Islands, (small islands in Squaw Bay that we made up names for), enjoyed sleep overs and hide and seek games in the cemetary and the BIGGEST adventure of all, was driving with our friend Judy Moen to Aculpulco Mexico. Pretty much the entire trip she talked about Joe....the love of her life. Even though life took us in different directions over the years, I often thought of Sue. I reconnected with her only a few years ago. Godspeed, Susie! Adios mi amiga. Vayas s con Dios.
C
CurtRoeder
Other •
Sue was my step sister. Beyond her never ending kindness, I remember two big events. One, she and her husband Joe took me to see my first Badger game. Rufus Ferguson ran for 2 touchdowns that day. Second, she gave me a copy of Mary Shelley's " Frankenstein", when I was still quite young and she was in college. I still have it, and it means more than ever. Safe travels, sweet sister. Curt
J
JessicaBrunsell
Other •
Mom you are the most beautiful woman in every way. So many memories. The thing I miss most is just being with you sitting at the kitchen table. I will always miss you and I will keep you in my heart forever. When I was young, I remember mom playing softball for awhile. Mom was also on a bowling league. Mom loved reading, painting, beadwork, watching musicals, and watching American Idol. Mom also loved all the dogs and birds we had! So many funny memories with all the animals in the house! I could go on and on. I love you Mom may you rest in peace.
KS
Katrina S
Other •
I had the pleasure of meeting sue at Karmenta and then at Belmont Nursing, Myself and my coworkers knew how to get a smile on her face Just by mentioning the Green Bay Packers and her favorite clay ,
Susan Brunsell you will be missed
Katrina.
TM
Tonia Miller
Other •
So may fond memories of Sue. To coming over to trick or treat with Ethan when he was little to playing on the front porch with Jess and the boys. Listening to the birds and watching the Jack Russell puppies play in the backyard. Sitting in the kitchen and just talking. Sue always had a smile on her face whenever I saw her she was a great woman, mother and grandma she will be greatly missed. May the sun always shine down on you Sue. Love Tonia & Ethan Miller
SB
Sierra Bakken
Other •
She will forever be the greatest grandma I could ever ask for, the warmth of her heart and soul touched my heart deeply. Her kindness will always be remembered, the smile she had was always contagious and her love for animals inspired me to helps animals as well. Grandma, you’ll forever be in the hearts of those who love you and cherished you, I love you more than anything in the world and thank you for always being so caring and loving. My best memories are the times with you❤️ Love your granddaughter Sierra