Susanne H. Waisner

Susanne Holbrook Waisner was born in Taunton, Massachusetts, on Jan. 3, 1940, and died in Holgate, Ohio, on May 1, 2025.

She was born to Stephen and Madeleine (Story) Rhodes and she had one sister, Marcia Pettine.

Sue inherited her seafarer's spirit from her father and learned to sail in the briny waters near Taunton, and after graduation she came west and earned a music education degree from Defiance College where, as a member of the choir, serenaded President Dwight D. Eisenhower in the White House.

And then she met Jim Waisner and the winds changed and she plotted a new course. They married in a garden in Taunton in 1962 and for the next 62 years, she embraced the farm life in Holgate. She and Jim had four children, Kevin (Beth) Waisner, Scott (Vicki) Waisner, Mark (Tia) Waisner and Diana (Jerry) Evers.

Sue taught at Malinta and Hamler schools, and worked in the cafeteria for a decade after. She was a member of the Farm Bureau, St. John's UCC church, a member of the Christian league, CE Board, Mayflower Circle and Bell Choir. Sue and Jim travelled from coast to coast and spent summers on Agnew in Canada out-fishing us all.

Sue's love of the salty air and the tides rolling in could not outshine the love she had for her family. In her wake she leaves a legacy of a life well-loved seen in her 11 grandchildren, Colin (Emily) Waisner, Denton (Wendy) Waisner, Adrienne Waisner, Reed (Renee) Waisner, Cody (Paige) Bronson, Michael (Alyssa) Waisner, Jennifer Waisner, Clay (Jessica) Waisner, Jason Waisner, Nicholas Evers, Neveah Evers; and six great-grandchildren.

Sue's time with us is over but like a lighthouse along the ocean, her light shines bright in all she loved.

Friends will be received in the Zachrich Family Funeral Home of Holgate on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 2-8 p.m., and one hour before the church service. The Celebration of Sue's Life will be on Monday in St. John's United Church of Christ, Holgate at 11 a.m., with Reverend Jeff McCarn officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. John's UCC.