Susan Kay Behrenwald, age 77, of Lakeview, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Susie was born in Lakeview, MI, on August 5, 1948 to Fred and Helen (Taylor) Ward. She was the youngest of three and learned early on how to tend to cattle on her family’s Registered Jersey Farm outside of Coral. In 1966, Susie graduated valedictorian from Lakeview High School and married her high school sweetheart, Gordon Behrenwald, just a few months later. It was a running joke in the family that Susie had to take the only Holstein calf, affectionately named Lucky, with her as a dowry when she married into a family that raised Holstein cattle.
In her 58 years of marriage to Gordon, Susie raised four children, milked cows, fed calves, fixed meals, ran for parts, and managed livestock records. In addition to all those responsibilities, she was the bookkeeper for their dairy and cash-crop farm as well as their farm-implement dealership. Some of her fondest memories were created while vacationing. She and Gordon spent an entire month in Australia learning about the agriculture and the culture there while staying with fellow farmers. Their family trips to California, Mackinaw Island, Florida, and Hawaii were bucket fillers that brought joy to all.
Susie enjoyed good food, good books, and great conversation. She adored keeping up on family happenings just as much as she did chatting with her friends. You could always count on Susie for good advice and a surprising comment that would often erupt into contagious laughter. She was well known for her baked beans, jello salads, beef stroganoff, meatloaf, and hamburger gravy. Susie’s fresh strawberry and peach pies were special summer treats for all to enjoy. Her patience, listening ear, and compassion will be deeply missed.
Susan is survived by her loving children and grandchildren, Julie (Ed) Ford of Greenville and children, Alexandra (Adam) Gudbrandson and Megan (Clay) Horn; Ronald (Christine) Behrenwald of Sand Lake and children, Anna and Lauren Behrenwald; Sarah (Mike) Johnson and children, Noah and Ava Johnson; David (Lisa) Behrenwald and children, Kalyn (Shea) Ingles and Kyler Behrenwald; and great-grandson, Evan Gudbrandson.
She is also survived by her sibling, RuthAnn Granfors of California; sisters-in-law, Deanna Ward of Six Lakes and Judy (Ronald) Flachs of Hickory Corners; brother-in-law, Donald Behrenwald of Sparta; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Susan was preceded in death by her husband, Gordon; her parents, Fred and Helen; in-laws, Arthur and Charlotte (VanAntwerp) Behrenwald; brother, Edward Ward; brother-in-law, Henry Behrenwald and his wife, Marlene (Carlson) Behrenwald; and sister-in-law, Mary (Roush) Behrenwald.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the Hurst Funeral Home in Greenville, Michigan, with Richard Taylor officiating. Visitation services will occur on Monday, April 27, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm and again one hour before the funeral. Following the funeral services, the internment will be held at Lakeview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions made to Lakeview Area Museum with memo “Building Fund” (mailing address PO Box 216, Lakeview, MI 48850) or Hospice of Michigan with memo “Big Rapids Region” (mailing address Hospice of Michigan, 989 Spaulding SE, Ada, MI 49301). Memories and messages of condolence may be shared at www.hurstfh.com.
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