Susan Kay Ecklor

Susan Kay Ecklor, 76, of Elkhart Lake passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 19, at Century Ridge Assisted Living & Memory Care after a long battle with Alzheimer's. She was born in La Crosse on May 6, 1949, to the late La Ferne Cecilia Jorgenson (Shreier) and the late Elmer B. Jorgenson. Susan graduated from Logan High School and became the first person in her family to attend college at Virterbo University (College) graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. During college, she met her future husband Floyd (Gene) Eugene Ecklor. Susan and Gene got married August 1, 1970, and they enjoyed over 55 years together.

Susan and Gene moved to Elkhart Lake in 1976, and started building their life together there. She worked eleven years as a Registered Nurse at Valley View Medical Center in Plymouth. During this time she had her first child, Michelle, and the family expanded to include the addition of Nicholas and then shortly after, Timothy. Susan continued her career as a Registered Nurse at Rocky Knoll Health Care Facility for almost 25 years. She finished her time there caring for patients in the Alzheimer's wing. After retiring, Susan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's herself, but still loved to laugh, smile and care for others however she could.

Susan and Gene spent their time traveling between their children's homes across the U.S. and wintering in Texas, enjoying local jam sessions and community. After viewing a segment covering the National Hobo Convention in Britt, IA; Susan and Gene made sure to attend every year. Known to the Hobos, as Daisy Sue and Medicine Man, Susan and Gene cherished their time together at the Hobo Convention so much that they decided to get married again. They renewed their vows on their 40th Wedding Anniversary surrounded by their children in August of 2010.

Susan is survived by her husband (Gene), her children: Michelle (Brian) of Green Bay, Nicholas (Jessica) of Enid, OK; and Timothy (Jacob) of Norfolk, VA. She is also survived by grandchildren who brought her great joy, Michaela and Braxton; her siblings: Nancy (Richard) Coon of Waukesha, Barbara R. (Jan) Fischer of La Crosse, Janet (Curtis) Richards of Apex, NC; and Eric (Julie) Jorgenson of La Crosse; as well as sisters-in-law, Patricia (Ronny) Artis of Pensacola, FL, and Lois (David) Helland of Schoolcraft, MI and brother-in-law, Lawrence (Nancy) Ecklor of Coon Valley, WI; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her brother Brian Jorgenson of La Crosse.

A funeral service will be held for Susan at 12:00pm on Friday, February 27, at Suchon Funeral Home, 1317 State Road 67, Plymouth, WI 53073. Father Philip Reifenberg will officiate. Friends and family may call Friday morning from 10:00am to 12:00pm before the start of the service. A luncheon will follow the service, and the burial will proceed after at Green Lawn Memorial Park.

Susan's family wishes to extend sincere thanks to the staff at Century Ridge for their love, compassion and caring during her time there. They'd also like thank her care providers at Aurora Plymouth and ThedaCare Hospice. We are grateful to all who have stopped by to visit Susan and speak love over her.

The family asks please no flowers, but instead please consider contributing to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 in memory of Susan Ecklor.