June 19, 1936 – November 10, 2025
With heavy hearts and tearful eyes, we announce the passing of our beloved Susan Raduechel, who departed this world on Monday, November 10, 2025, after a life well-lived. Born on June 19, 1936, to Robert and Priscilla Hampel, Susan was a beacon of love and light, a cherished matriarch whose spirit will forever linger in the hearts of those who knew her.
Susan’s early years were filled with music and friendship. She played the clarinet and proudly marched with the band at Lubbock High School in Texas, where she shared hallways with her famous classmate, Buddy Holly. Later, she graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School, carrying with her a lifelong love of learning and community.
On October 22, 1956, Susan married Herbert Raduechel at the First Congregational Church in Kenosha, beginning a beautiful partnership that would last a lifetime. Together, they built a home filled with laughter, warmth, and devotion to family.
Susan dedicated more than 40 years of her life to her work as a Unit Secretary at Kenosha Memorial Hospital, where her friendly face and kind spirit became a fixture. Everyone in the hospital knew her, not just as a colleague, but as part of the social fabric that held the hospital community together.
Outside of work, Susan’s creativity and energy knew no bounds. She was an avid knitter, known for her cozy Afghans, baby sweaters, and her famous washcloths that became treasured gifts among family and friends. As a seamstress, she could craft anything from coats and formal wear to imaginative Halloween costumes and tiny clothes for Chrissy Doll and Barbie. Her cross-stitch and needlework pieces were labors of love, each one infused with patience and artistry.
A lifelong reader, Susan always had a book nearby, and she was as skilled in the kitchen as she was with a needle and thread. Her baking, especially her twenty varieties of Christmas cookies, was legendary, and she delighted in sharing her culinary creations with loved ones. Never afraid of a challenge, she even remodeled her own home, often surprising her family with her latest project or idea.
Susan cherished time spent in Door County, where she found peace in its beauty and simplicity. She also had a tender heart for animals, especially dogs and birds, who always found love and care in her presence.
Above all, Susan did whatever was necessary for her family. A true Renaissance woman with a can-do attitude, she approached life with determination, grace, and ingenuity. Entirely self-taught in so many skills, she passed that same drive and independence to her children and grandchildren, leaving a legacy of creativity, compassion, and perseverance.
Susan leaves behind her devoted son, Jeff (Cheryl) Raduechel, her dear daughter, Tamara (T.J.) Little. She is also survived by her loving sister, Judy Gotta, brother-in-law, Ronnie Raduechel, and sisters-in-law, Maryanne Boyd and Laura Raduechel. Together they form a tapestry woven with memories that will never fade. Her legacy lives on through her beloved grandchildren: Stacy (Justin) Ray, Jenny (Cavin Hobus) Raduechel, Kelly (Billy) Sangbusch, and Justin (Ann) Little; great-grandson, Ethan Ray, and great-granddaughter, Tessa Ray, whose laughter will echo as a sweet reminder of her unconditional love. Susan’s nieces and nephews, Suzette Jaskie, Paul Gotta, Freddie Lentz, Debbie Servantez, and Suzy Mleczko, will forever hold her dear in their hearts.
Susan was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Herbert; her sister, Jennifer Lentz; brother-in-law, John Gotta; grandson, Brandon Little; and beloved Bichon Frise, Sophie.
Susan’s life was a masterpiece of love, hard work, and quiet strength. Though her hands are now at rest, the works of her heart, her family, her craft, and her kindness will endure for generations to come.
Visitation
DATE:
November 18, 2025, from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
LOCATION:
Piasecki Funeral Home
3720 39th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53144
https://www.kenoshafuneralhome.com
Funeral Service
DATE:
November 18, 2025, at 1:00 pm
LOCATION:
Piasecki Funeral Home
3720 39th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53144
