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As received from the Ryan Funeral Home:
CALUMET – Susan Marie Gronlund, age 71, peacefully passed away with her family by her side at the Omega House, shortly after Fr. Gracious blessed/prayed with her and her family, on Tuesday, June 29th. Susie fought a long illness with Leiomyosarcoma and progressed Parkinson’s Disease, which flared up the anxiety/panic nerve problems she has suffered with since she was a teen.
Susan was the 1st born daughter of Theresa and Lauren Perkola of Calumet, Michigan, born at Calumet Public Hospital on December 1, 1949.
She attended Sacred Heart Schools and was a member of the Calumet High School class of 1967. She learned to be an avid sewer in school and later enjoyed making dresses/outfits for daughter Nicole and many others. She enjoyed singing and dancing and never missed a school dance.
Susan and husband, Roger Gronlund, eloped marrying on January 5, 1968, and had their marriage blessed at St. Paul’s Church on January 25, 1968. They celebrated 53 years of marriage this past year. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul the Apostle Church of Calumet, Michigan residing just a few blocks down the street.
They welcomed son, Roger Jr. to their family on November 1, 1968 and daughter, Nicole, on June 16, 1972.
She enjoyed cooking for family gatherings and baked up a storm for the Holidays. Her pasties, potato salad, sugar cookies, fudge, gumdrop cakes, blueberry crumble/smoothies, Saunders frosting, lemon custard cakes and so much more will be greatly missed, and will certainly be hard to recreate with the love that she put into them.
Susie’s big smile and kindness will be sadly missed by many! She would often put others before herself on many occasions. Her dear friend ‘Peachy’ recently wrote in a card to her, “You have a Heart of Gold and I don’t think I know anyone who loves animals as much as you do.” That says it all! She loved and enjoyed her many pets over the years and God’s many creatures in nature. She always had a soft spot and a warm heart when it came to her children/grandchildren. She was Always and Will Always Be ‘Forever Proud’ of each of them and their many endeavors! She will be Forever in our Hearts! May she now be at Peace up in the heavens with her granddaughter, Faith Christine, her Father and all family/friends that have gone before us, shining down upon us.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents; Walter and Mayme Pirkola and Romeo and Ozina Nault; father in law, Carl Gronlund; brother in laws, Gordon Dextrom, Clifford Gronlund and David Gronlund; father & stepmother, Lauren & Barbara Perkola; granddaughter, Faith Christine Binder and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
She is survived by her husband Roger; son, Roger Jr. (Margery) Gronlund and grandchildren Kimberly, Melanie and Rogan Gronlund; daughter, Nicole (Sean) Binder and grandchildren Chaice, Quinn and Karley Binder; mother, Theresa Nault Perkola; sister, Denise (Marv) Carpenter of FL; sister, Laura (Nate) Rowe; brother, Mike (Sherry) Adams; sister, Faye (Rich) Rule; brother, Richard Adams; sister, Brenda (Puddy) DeMarois; Sister in laws, Candace (David) Heikkila and Jaclyn Paavilainen and numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and friends. Special friends; Mary Baril, Joan Holman and Peachy Stuffle. Loving furry companions; Snickers and Brindy. A special Thank You to the staff/caregivers at the Omega House and to Father Gracious for their kindness and compassion during a very difficult time. Several of her caregivers commented on how kind and gentle of a lady she was and that she was One Strong Woman!
A Celebration of Life Funeral Mass will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Church on Saturday, July 10th at 6 p.m., officiated by Father Gracious. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at a later date.
