Susan Marie Krusik

Susan Marie Krusik was born on September 1, 1951, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and departed this world on August 1, 2024, in Lansing, Michigan. She was the third oldest of the five children of Dolly Fisher (Childress), who later married Preston Hyzer. 

Throughout her life, Susan embodied the virtues that defined her — quiet courage, humility, kindness, and a spirit of independence and adventure, intertwined with a deep-rooted and unconditional love for her family.

Susan graduated from Comstock High School, where she especially enjoyed history and literature classes and extracurricular activities such as working on the student newspaper. Her educational journey led her from Comstock to Western Michigan University, where she earned her B.A. She later expanded her career horizons at Roosevelt University in Chicago, studying to become a paralegal professional.

Susan and her husband Dave went to the same high school, although they were in different classes and didn’t really know each other in those days. Susan’s sister Katherine, however, was in the same graduating class as Dave, and that school connection eventually was the pathway for Susan and Dave to meet a few years later. Even though they worked and lived in different Michigan cities for a time, their trips back home on weekends and holidays to regularly visit family and friends in the Kalamazoo area saw their bond grow stronger and stronger. Their romance blossomed over time, rooted in a real friendship that flourished into a profound lifelong love. Susan and Dave exchanged vows and joined in marriage in a simple and beautiful wedding ceremony at Saint Aidan’s Chapel in Kalamazoo on March 11, 1989.

Beginning her paralegal career at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn and later with the Michigan Attorney General’s Office in Lansing, Susan dedicated many years to her chosen work. Ever-interested in growing her skills, she later took a position with the Department of Natural Resources, where she eventually retired in 2007.

Susan’s life was high-lighted with adventuresome travels that created cherished memories. In the mid-1970s, she journeyed overseas on a classic vagabonding trip with her sister, Katherine, exploring the wonders of Europe and the British Isles for three months. Not long afterwards, the two sisters took an unforgettable road trip through the landscapes of the American West.

In 2017, Susan and her husband Dave took a seemingly magical road trip to experience the marvel of their first Total Eclipse of the Sun together in the high desert of Eastern Oregon. That adventure further highlighted the joyous spirit of wonder that defined their loving partnership. In April of 2024, they made the relatively short drive to the “centerline” in Ohio and experienced their second Total Eclipse of the Sun together.

At home, particularly with the extra time available during retirement, her kitchen was a happy place where love mingled with creativity. Susan was a great cook, and with Dave usually by her side, she found joy in preparing familiar favorite dishes and in experimenting with new ingredients and recipes. During the times when people were mostly staying home, she and Dave made the most of their time together by having a weekly pizza and pepsi party, with shared enjoyment and laughter at the idea of such a simple “treat” becoming a regular event.

Christmas held a special place in Susan’s heart, celebrated with family traditions that created lasting bonds. As an aunt, she loved her nieces, and she truly cared about them and was grateful that she was able to be a part of their lives. It showed her nurturing spirit and her ability to weave love into the fabric of everyday life.

As time allowed over the years, Susan enjoyed cultivating her interest and skills in crafting — a passion inspired by her sister-in-law, Paula. Whether sewing, cross-stitching, crocheting, or later learning the art of quilting, she embraced these creative pastimes with quiet enthusiasm, attention to detail and steady efforts to learn and improve, in many ways mirroring similar traits that enabled her to succeed in her working life. Reading provided Susan with additional enjoyment and information, enabling her to explore the worlds of fact and fiction while relaxing in the comfort and safety of home.

For more active forms of recreation, Susan also enjoyed working in the yard with Dave and taking care of their property. They especially liked to get outdoors in nice weather to take easy rides on their tandem recumbent bicycle – the Big Tandem, as they called it. Although it took many years, they covered over 2000 miles together on that bicycle.

As a heart-felt tribute to the life-long love Susan showed for her nieces, during the closing days of Susan’s life, all three nieces were there by her side making sure she felt their love for her.

As we remember Susan Marie Krusik, we celebrate a remarkable woman whose gentle spirit and kind, generous heart enriched the lives of those fortunate enough to know her. She leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and dedication that will resonate through the lives she touched.

Susan Marie Krusik, of Dimondale, passed away on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at the age of 72. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 35 years, Dave; one brother: Lynn (Paula) Fisher, of Portage; two sisters: Katherine Fisher, of Oregon; Debbie (Marc) Overton, of Paw Paw; three blended-family siblings: Judith Crawford, of California; Carol Hyzer, of Grayling; James Hyzer, of Kalamazoo. She is also survived by her three nieces: Sarah (GR) Bentley, of Kalamazoo; Trisha Fisher, of Kalamazoo; and Maggie Overton, of Paw Paw. She is preceded in death by her mother Dolly Hyzer (Fisher), Dolly’s husband Preston Hyzer and one brother: Jeff Fisher.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, August 23, 2024, at 2pm. The family will greet friends from 1-2pm.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Susan’s guestbook and/or share your favorite memory with her family.

Those who wish may make contributions in Susan’s memory to the charity of choice.

The Krusik family is being cared for by Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI 49002 (269) 344-5600.