Susanne Arlene Miatke

Susanne Arlene (Dusthimer) Miatke, age 70, passed away in her Maricopa, Arizona home on Friday, October 10, 2025. She was born on May 21, 1955, in Woodstock, Ill., daughter of late James H. and Betty (Schulz) Dusthimer.

Susie is survived and missed by her loving husband of 33 years, Thomas J.; her step-son Thomas J. (TJ); her sisters Sherry (Dusthimer) and Robert Gazda, Ore., Laura (Dusthimer) Ashbrook and Gordon Fadie, Mt. Prospect, Ill., Amy (Dusthimer) and Timothy Dewar, Crystal Lake, Ill.; and brother James T. and Samantha (O'Gorman) Dusthimer, Overland Park, Kan. She was preceded in death by her older sister Denise (Dusthimer) Robertson and step-daughter Amber (Miatke) Jordan.

Susie graduated from Crystal Lake Community High School before spending the majority of her career in the Navy and Illinois Army National Guard in Sycamore. She served in both Desert Storm and Iraq wars. She met her lifelong husband in the service and after many years living in Oregon, Ill. the two retired on three acres of land at the base of a mountain in Maricopa, Ariz.

Susie was a woman of family, adventure, fun and laughs, and delighted in the caring of others. She enjoyed traveling, wood work, cooking, house projects, shopping, gift giving, especially the spoiling of her nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. She carried a fun and childlike spirit that drew many to her. The fierce and unconditional love she had for family and friends will always be admired and described by most as her life’s legacy. We will miss her presence profoundly and find peace in that her memory is a blessing to us always.

Memorial services will be held at J. Warren Funeral Services, 525 N. Peart Rd, Casa Grande, Ariz., Monday, October 20, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Women’s Shelter, 45978 W. McDavid Rd, Maricopa, Ariz., an organization that supports and engages women and teens through life’s challenging times.