Susan Ann Krapff

Susan Ann Krapff, age 88 of Rochester Hills, passed away April 17, 2023. Loving wife of Walter for 65 years, dear mother of Jennifer (Anthony) Krapff-Valletta, Carolyn (Paul) Wills and Kimberly (Anthony) Anstey, cherished grandmother of Kyle, Megan, Carolina, Bethan, and Matteo, sister of Mary Lou Koenck, predeceased by her siblings Jeanne Lyng, William Gosch, Mavis Gosch and Karen Hougard and her parents William and Alma Gosch.
The family will receive friends Monday, May 8, 2023 at the Potere-Modetz Funeral Home, 339 Walnut, Blvd, 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a funeral service at 7:00 pm.
We mourn the loss of our beloved wife, mother, and grandmother Susan, one of the GREAT GGG's – Gorgeous Gosch Girls. Known to many as Susie, she grew up in the small town of Wall Lake, Iowa. She maintained that she and Andy Williams were the town's claims to fame. She came from a family that firmly believed in education. Her mother, aunts, and uncles all attended college in the early 1900s, and Susan continued the tradition by obtaining a BS in Nursing from University of Iowa (Go Hawkeyes!) Susie passed on her love of education when she and her husband Walter helped their children Jennifer, Carolyn, and Kimberly attend college.
Susan and Walter's love story began when they met in Des Moines, Iowa in 1957. On the night Walter asked her out, Susie lied about not having had dinner; she was hoping he would invite her out. She accepted, and the rest was history. On June 8, 2023, they would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Theirs is a love story that will go down in history because of their deep love and commitment to one another.
Always full of life, Susan left her mark on so many people along the way. She told stories of her time as a VA hospital nurse, caring for people stricken with polio and confined to iron lungs. A defining moment in her life, as well as her family's, was when she joined The Panel of American Women. The panel, made up of women with diverse ethnic, religious, and racial backgrounds was committed to exploring differences and building the bridges to unite us. This group of women spoke in public schools and at community events to teach people about diversity, acceptance, and inclusion. These strong women and their families became an extension of Susie's family positively impacting the beliefs of her children.
Susie & Wally went into business together, opening Big Red Q Quickprint in 1976. Susan loved working with customers, talking smack about college sports teams (once a Hawkeye, always a Hawkeye), and getting into fun political discussions. Since going into business, Susie and Walter have been together 24/7 for 47 years, part of their strength as a couple and ever lasting love story.
She loved her grandkids with all her heart and was so proud of each one of them. She loved her extended family deeply and traveled to as many family events as possible. Susie was also known as one of the best party planners and hosts around. She made friends easily, loved to play cards, go to the movies, and cherished life. A special lady who touched so many and will be deeply missed.
Memorials in Susan's name may be made to the leader dog for the blind. Inurnment will be at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.