Susan Diane "Susie" Balthazor

Susan Diane “Susie” Balthazor (Gudgel), Born March 12,1948 went to the arms of our Lord surrounded by the love of her family and Catholic priest who prayed with her and gave her final prayers and blessing before beginning her life in heaven, on May 13, 2026.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Marion Gudgel and her oldest brother Ralph Gudgel. She stayed close to her sister Jane Stanfield and brother Larry Gudgel who she talked to and visited with them almost daily.

She grew up in Kansas City, Kansas through high school and later married. They moved to Portland, Oregon for 7 years, but her desire to be close to her family brought them back to Kansas City. Susan devoted her life to caring for her family and others. She was well known for her smile and love she had for life and her children.

Susan enjoyed traveling, especially when there was a beach. She loved the ocean but would never go in. Instead she stayed on the beach keeping a watchful eye on her family and their safety no matter where they were. She also loved going to her house at the lake and inviting guests to visit. Boat rides are what she loved the most. She would be up early to pack food and drinks to spend a day on the water. You would always see her smiling, laughing and singing to the music while riding in the back of the boat to catch the sun and wind blowing in her face.

Susan is survived by her husband Roland Everette Balthazor to whom she was married for 59 years. She was a devoted wife and mother to their four children, Lisa (Steve) Webb, Suzette (Jim) Vogel, Philip (Shelly) Balthazor, and John Paul Balthazor all of which loved her dearly. They were a close family and lived close by. Susan also had 10 grandchildren, Zachary, Nathan, Ava, Hayden, Isabella, Conrad, Cael, Quentin, Adaline and Roland II who loved and respected her and will deeply miss her and think of her daily. She had many nieces and nephews who also loved and saw her frequently.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Leukemia Research Foundation, 191 Waukegan Road, Suite 105, Northfield, Illinois 60093, or online at leukemiarf.org.

“So with you: Now is your time of grief, but will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

John 16:22