Susan Marie “Sue” Graf (née Larson)

LIVESTREAM SERVICE:

Sue's Livestream Service will begin at 11 a.m. CT on Monday, April 6, 2026. Scroll down to the Webcast section and click on “Watch Now.”

JOHNSON CREEK / MADISON - Susan Marie “Sue” Graf, age 71, passed away at home and surrounded by loved ones on March 29, 2026, after a courageous battle against cancer.

Sue is survived by her loving husband, Cary; son, Andrew (Sarah) Graf; daughter, Lori (Jon) Hoechst; grandchildren, Avery, Blake, Judah and Wesley; many siblings and family members; and dear friends. Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Richard Larson and Nora Ringstad; as well as her sister, Sandy; and brother, Don.

Sue was born on July 16, 1954, at Cook Hospital in Chicago, Ill. She moved to Madison, Wis., as a baby, where she would spend most of her life. Sue was the fifth of nine siblings - seven girls and two boys. She graduated from Madison Memorial High School in 1972.

Sue and Cary attended high school together, though they didn't know each other until fate brought them together when they met as the Maid of Honor and Best Man in a friend’s wedding. They began dating two years later, after Cary completed his enlistment in the U.S. Navy, and married on September 22, 1979, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Madison, Wis.

Sue had a strong work ethic throughout her life. She was a medical insurance claims examiner for almost 20 years before joining the State of Wisconsin as a worker’s compensation claims examiner. She retired from UW-Madison in 2018 as a Senior Claims Examiner after 20+ years with the state. Sue was dedicated to her work and took pride in helping the State of Wisconsin. In the summer of 2019, Sue and Cary moved from Madison to Johnson Creek, Wis.

Sue was a loving and devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt and friend, yet her most treasured title was grandma. Some of her greatest moments of joy came from time spent cheering on her grandchildren on the soccer, softball and baseball fields, as well as reading them stories, spoiling them with treats, and letting them beat her in board games. She poured out endless love, gentle care, and sweet moments that her grandchildren will carry with them always.

Throughout her life, Sue had many passions and hobbies, which included bowling in Madison city leagues, learning ceramics and crafts with her mother-in-law, teaching confirmation classes at Bethel Lutheran Church, reading, acrylic painting with family and friends, and playing all kinds of games - board games, card games, bar dice, nickels with her friends, and more.

Sue loved to travel. Some of her favorite trips included a church confirmation trip to South Dakota with Andy, a weeklong fourth-grade field trip with Lori around the state of Wisconsin, and adventures to Yellowstone, San Diego, Colorado, Germany, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and spring breaks in Gulf Shores and Phoenix. She especially loved her annual trips to Lake Geneva with her sisters and friends.

Sue had a heart for serving others. She volunteered at the local food pantry in Johnson Creek and served at polling centers for local elections. Sue and Cary have most recently been regular attenders of Faith Community Church in Fort Atkinson, Wis.

Sue's family wishes to thank Rainbow Hospice Care in Johnson Creek for their compassionate care and support.

A funeral service for Sue will be held at Gunderson FITCHBURG FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 6, 2026. Family and friends who wish to view the service via LIVESTREAM may visit Sue’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at the time of the service and click on "Watch Now" in the Webcast section. Burial will take place at Sunset Memory Gardens. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. John’s Lutheran Church Helping Hands Food Pantry in Johnson Creek, Wis. or City of Hope Cancer Treatment Center in Zion, Ill. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002