David J. Susan

David J. Susan

October 07, 1945 - July 06, 2026

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Obituary

MADISON - David Susan passed away on July 6, 2026. Pastor Susan’s ministry touched three nations over six decades of following Jesus, who kept leading him to people and places where all could serve together. Growing up Lutheran in several of these United States, David early discerned a call to ministry; in 1971 he completed the path to ordination in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.


While singing in the Concordia College Choir, Bronxville, New York, he met Shirley-the “Love” of his life--they were married at Valparaiso University in 1968. After graduation from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri and a Fulbright-scholarship in music and theology in Berlin, Germany, David was ordained and served Immanuel, a robust country congregation in Courtland, Minn.  


David and Shirley adopted son Mark, who “brought Korea home to us before home moved to Korea.” As a missionary for eight years with the Lutheran Church in Korea (LCK), David taught at Luther Seminary Seoul, adapted music for the LCK’s sung communion liturgy, and assisted with the Korea Luther’s Works project; the Susan family was also blessed by the adoption of daughters, Rebecca and Michelle.


Returning to the United States in 1984, David pastored Immanuel in Madison, Wisconsin, until retirement in 2005. Convinced that “the ground is level at the foot of the cross,” together with laity and colleagues, his Immanuel focus was worship planning and parish nurture. He sang bass with the UW-Madison Choral Union and was active nationally in the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.


In the community, he led a tutor-mentor program at Lowell Elementary School and worked with the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center on development projects. In retirement, David enjoyed cooking and biking. After Shirley retired in 2010 following 19 years as a reading specialist at Cottage Grove School, they have kept busy with children, grandchildren, Samara and Aiden, and countless excellent Madison hiking opportunities.  


A memorial service of readings and hymns planned by David will be held at IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1021 Spaight St., Madison at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2026, with the Rev. Michael Erdman presiding. A reception with David’s favorite desserts and coffee will follow the service in the Lakeview Room at the church. Burial will take place at Park Cemetery in Marquette, Mich., on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.


Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church Foundation, 1021 Spaight St., Madison, WI 53703 or to Lutheran World Relief, (https://lwr.org).  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.


Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420




Events

30
Memorial Service
Sun Aug 30, 2026 @ 2:00 PM CDT
Immanuel Lutheran Church • 1021 Spaight St., Madison, WI 53703
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30
Luncheon After Service
Sun Aug 30, 2026 @ 2:45 PM CDT
Immanuel Lutheran Church • 1021 Spaight St., Madison, WI 53703
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AS
A Memorial Tree was planted for David Susan
Other •
We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Gunderson Funeral Home - Madison
RH
Ron H.
Other •
Mr. Susan was an angel. He was one of the best humans imaginable. Kind, loving, compassionate and honorable, are merely a few of the words that come to mind, when mentioning Mr. Susan. Ms. Susan, I have never seen a couple as perfect as you two. Through your countless, selfless actions, both of you have made this world better. My deepest condolences to your family. I will always remember Mr. Susan as the nicest person that I have ever known. Angel. Rest in peace, Mr. Susan.
LS
Lynn Sterud
Other •
More than 40 years ago, Bill and I had the privilege of meeting Pastor Susan when we attended the baptism of our nephew. At that time, we were waiting for our adoption match from the Philippines. David had a profound understanding of international adoption, and we were truly blessed to have him and Shirley to connect with during that time of our lives. This is only one of many memories we have from David's ministry. David's pastoral leadership, care, integrity, and good humor are remembered with great affection. We offer our deepest sympathy to your family during this time of loss.
BZ
Bert G. Zipperer
Other •
I met "Pastor Susan" when we both sat on the Board of Directors at the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center in the 1990's ... what a DELIGHT!! David was a joy to share time with -- always bringing his caring optimism, his great laughter and his dedication to making the world a better place for all ..... no exceptions. Many thanks to David's family who shared him with the entire community -- we are all much better for having shared our world with David Susan!! David Susan -- PRESENTE!!
RH
Rev. Mark Hoelter
Other •
This news took me by surprise. David and I have not talked much at all (even on FB); just a few lines, usually on birthdays. David and I were roommates in our last year at what then was Concordia Sr. College (1966-67). He was a much more diligent student than I, and I'm not surprised at all he did after Concordia Seminary and ordination (I abandoned the LCMS ship and went to a new ELCA seminary in Chicago, so that's when I began losing track of David and other classmates). I remember his organ playing with deep pleasure, and also how, when he was hot and bothered ("mad as heck") by something going on, he would get himself over to the A-frame chapel and play his frustration out and then come back to our room restored. I took extra delight when recently David posted a picture of himself with a grandson at the keyboard of an organ. In a lighter vein, I also remember when he and I, reading in a world religions text, did our best together to create a living "Shiva nataraj" (dancing Shiva, a Hindu god of creation/destruction, with 4 armes and 4 legs), including demonstrating our living statue to others in the dorm. And I have such a Shiva now as one of my prize "idols" And in yet another vein, after the wife of our village's faculty counselor (Anne Brelje, wife of Mil Brelje...the dormitories in the Eero Saarinen designed campus were clustered into "villages") was laid up post-surgery, David and I got her permission and spent a Saturday washing all the windows in their home since Mil was away for a period of time. David and Shirley double-dated a couple of times with me and one of Shirley's friends and fellow students in the deaconess program at Valparaiso University. Those dates never developed into a longer relationship, but David and Shirley were definitely "an item" and obviously continued to be. I always thought they were a wonderful couple. I eventually was ordained in the Unitarian Universalist Association, and my wife is Jewish. There is a Jewish statement made of those who have passed away: "May his name be for a blessing." Which is to say approximately, whenever the deceased one's name now is mentioned, may it call to mind all of the person's goodness and add that goodness to the present. And I have become fond of a phrase from one of my professors at that other seminary when he was soon to die. He said, "It is my time to return to the stars." My condolences to Shirley, the children, and the grandchildren. David Susan, my old friend and former roommate and classmate, now has returned to the stars. May his name always be for a blessing.
A
Anonymous
Other •
In loving memory of a great Pastor, Organist and Person!Blessings, Martha Hardy Mantei

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