Susan A. Mizgata

Susan loved connecting with people through food, teaching, and her passion for social ministry. From her childhood in a suburb of Chicago to the annual trips she took to rural Guatemala, she brought joy to many.

Susan was born on May 1, 1947 to Oliver “Ollie” and Pricilla “Pat” Aschenbrenner in Elmhurst, Illinois. Throughout her life, she enjoyed cooking to bring people together. Her cheesecake and decadent “chocolate bowl” were holiday favorites. In Illinois, she started her own catering business, creating celebratory cakes. In 1992, Susan’s work brought her to Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and two children. Her time in the hospitality industry introduced her to life-long friends, gave her an outlet to teach others, and sparked her connection to Guatemala.

After returning to school and gaining her Master of Education, Susan began teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in 2010. She was a spirited educator, passionate about all children getting the resources they need to learn. She taught in Bedford and Marshall counties, reaching a diverse population of students in rural Tennessee.

Susan was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Nashville for 16 years, where she led social ministry projects, especially for those in any need. She was involved with multiple faith communities and led mission work in Guatemala for years. During her summer breaks from teaching, she often traveled to Guatemala to work with local students and churches.

Susan is survived by her children, Thaddaus “Thad” and Jennifer Mizgata. She is preceded in death by her parents, Oliver and Pricilla, her brother, Bruce Aschenbrenner, and her former husband, Thaddaus P. Mizgata.

A memorial service will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, 3259 McGavock Pk, Nashville, TN 37214, at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2023. All are welcome to celebrate Susan; her family hopes to see friends from her many communities. Donations can be sent to the family through her daughter, Jennifer, who can be reached at jennifermizgata@ gmail.com or ‪(202) 495-1658.