Susan Kesler, 78, passed away peacefully on March 20, the first day of Spring, surrounded by her family.
Susan was born to Norman and Laura May Lundberg on March 1, 1947, in Poplar, Wisconsin. The baby of the family with two older siblings, she was raised on a large farm in northern Wisconsin.
Susan graduated from Wisconsin State University in Superior, Wisconsin, in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Her forever dream was to go to Alaska. In August of 1969, with a signed contract as a teacher, she embarked on a small train in Superior to begin her journey to Sitka. She was 22 years old and leaving home alone with all her earthly goods in a trunk, not knowing a single person in Alaska.
One week after her arrival in beautiful Sitka, she met Wes Kesler when he arrived on the ferry for his teaching job, and they were married the following June. They had 55 wonderful years together.
Susan was a teacher in the Sitka School District, while also taking years off to raise her children. Having taught kindergarten, first grade, and Reading Recovery, she retired from her educational career in 2004 with many fond memories. From there she immersed herself in family and grand-parenting. She was active in serving at Sitka Assembly of God church, and loved photography and capturing the beauty around her.
Her greatest passion in life was her family. Her faith and love for God was a part of everything she did and was evident in her life. She was a great encourager with a big heart.
She is survived by her husband, Wes Kesler of Sitka; son Brad (Susan) Kesler of Springfield, Missouri; daughter Sarah (Sean) Rushing of Enumclaw, Washington; daughter Karina (Louis) Holst of Sitka; grandchildren Jordan, Judah (Danee), Bethany, Levi, Nathan, Rachel, Luke (Haley), Mark, Faith (Colby), and Peter; great-grandchildren Elizabeth, Gabriella, and Wesley; siblings Bill Lundberg (Shirley) and Janis Lepasti; close friends Mike and Marcia Hirai, Alan Brown; and many longtime friends.
A celebration of her life will be held in June at the Sitka Assembly of God Church, where she was a long-time member.
