Louise M. Sause

Louise M. Sause of East Lansing Michigan died peacefully at her home on February 7, 2017, at the age of 104. A professor emeritus at Michigan State University, she joined its fledgling Education Department in 1954 after receiving a doctorate from Columbia University. Born in Youngstown, Ohio on August 4, 1912, she was the oldest of four children of Michael J. and Margretta Reisinger Sause.

A graduate of Ursuline Academy, her career spanned over 60 years, beginning as a primary school teacher in the Youngstown City schools after graduating from Kent State University, while working summers on her masters at Columbia, and then teaching at Indiana State and Purdue.

As a professor of educational psychology at MSU, she consulted with and traveled to meet educators on every continent except Antarctica; she taught in Peru for a year as well as in other schools around the world. In retirement she continued to travel extensively, including to China and Russia, visiting classrooms and exchanging ideas with local teachers.

Off campus, Louise was involved in local and national affairs, testifying before Congress and the Michigan Legislature multiple times on issues affecting children. She served as a board member of the Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency. She was instrumental in establishing local Head Start programs and developing MSU’s chapter of the League of Women Voters, one of the nation’s only chapters for college students. Always concerned for students, she was an active mentor at St. John Church and Student Center and guided scores of doctoral candidates at MSU. She helped people from every walk of life, becoming a friend to anyone who crossed her path. A philanthropist, she supported many local charitable causes, and was a longtime supporter of the Michigan Women’s Foundation and educational scholarships at MSU.

Recognized by the City of East Lansing with its 1999 Crystal Award, her former student, Kathy Sansone-Murphy said “There are people all over the world who had their start with Louise. She is just an inspiration for all those she meets. She just never stops.”

Awarded the Crystal Apple Award in 2002 as the College of Education celebrated its 50th anniversary, Louise was cited as exemplifying an exceptional teacher. In retirement, it was noted, she continued to be “an advocate for programs and laws that keep the needs of the young child in the forefront of education.” Indeed, she continued an active life and was in contact with former students and fellow educators who regularly visited her home, many from around the globe, up until her last days.

She was predeceased by her brothers William and Robert Sause, both of Youngstown, in 1997 and 2011, and by her sister Jean S. Argetsinger of Burdert, N.Y., three weeks ago. She is survived by ten loving nieces and nephews, 24 grand and 24 great-grand nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Mass will be held at St. John Church and Student Center, 327 MAC Avenue, East Lansing, Friday, February 10, 2017, 2:00 p.m. with visitation one hour prior at the church. A private burial will be held at the family plot in Calvary Cemetery, Youngstown, OH at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in memory of Louise to St. John Church and Student Center, or the MSU “Dr. Louise Sause Scholarship Fund”, MSU Development, 535 Chestnut Road, Room 300, East Lansing, MI 48824-1005.

On line condolences may be made at www.greastlansing.com