Obituaries

Sue Ann Schwan, known as Susie or Chatty Sue to her family and friends, departed her earthly life on October 12, 2026, at MyMichigan Medical Center in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan, surrounded by family and friends. Susie was diagnosed with cancer just six days prior.

Susie was born on July 18, 1951, in Ishpeming, Michigan, to Fred and Anita Rose (Johnson) Leach. Shortly after her birth, her family relocated to Adrian, Michigan. She returned home to Rock, Michigan, in seventh grade and graduated from Rock High School in 1969.

Susie worked for the Social Security Administration for several years before moving to Fargo, North Dakota. She returned to the Upper Peninsula and resided in Ishpeming, where she was employed by the Marquette Mining Journal, before accepting employment with the State of Michigan Department of Corrections. Her new employment brought her to Sault Ste Marie, where she resided for the past twenty-four years. Susie, up to her passing, was a full-time employee at Kinross Correction Facility (YES at 75 years old!!). Susie was dedicated to her work and jokingly had a “Life Sentence”.

She enjoyed arts and crafts, yard work (she missed her calling as a greenskeeper), music especially Alan Jackson and Willie Nelson, dancing, and road trips. Most of all, Susie was a people person and enjoyed meeting people. She was committed to raising of her granddaughter, Maressa, and spending time with her great-grandson, Kade. Susie was very proud of her 39 years of sobriety.

Susie is survived by her pride and joy, granddaughter, Maressa (Andre) LaJoie, and great-grandson, Kade of Sault Ste Marie; sister, Marlene Clausen of McFarland, Michigan; brother, Raymond Leach, CPO, USN, Ret. of Leesburg, Florida and Rock, Michigan; daughter, Becky Schwan of Ishpeming, Michigan; son, Jeffery Carlson of Alaska; and many nieces and nephews from South Carolina, Florida, and Michigan.

Susie was preceded in death by her daughter, Heidi Schwan; parents, Fred and Rosie Leach; sister, Karen; former husband, Lee Schwan; special friend, Scott Gauthier; sister-in-law Linda; brothers-in-law, Larry, Jack, and Curt; special aunts and uncles, Ed and Dorthy Ontto and Paul and Judy Johnson.

Susie’s family would like to give thanks to the attending doctors, PA’s, nurses and entire care team on the second floor of MyMichigan Medical Center for their above-and-beyond, compassionate, professional care. They would also like to thank her special friends, A.J. and his wife, Connie, for years of supportive friendship and prayers.

At Susie’s request, no service will be held. Susie’s ashes later will be committed to Lake Michigan, at her and Maressa’s happy place on summer day adventure trips.

As Willie Nelson once said, “It's not something you get over, but it's something you get through”

Family Life Funeral Homes – Sault Ste. Marie assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be given to the family at www.familylifefh.com.