Susanne Dorothy (Littau) Mundorf of Saline, Michigan passed away peacefully on October 14, 2021 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She had a strong faith of eternity in Heaven through Jesus Christ’s salvation.
Susanne was born to John and Magdalena (Hoffman) Littau on September 3, 1936 in Valentine, Nebraska, the eleventh of twelve children. She grew up in rural South Dakota attending high school in Gregory. From the time she graduated high school until moving to Illinois in 1967, Susanne taught at numerous country schools in South Dakota while completing her Bachelor's degree from the University of South Dakota at Springfield. Susanne married Leonard Mundorf on October 14th of 1961 and together they raised two sons, Jon and George.
After completing her bachelor's degree in the summer of 1972, Susanne and Len moved to Alaska where they would reside for nearly 40 years. They taught school in Naknek, Alaska, for much of that time; the same town where brother and sister-in-law Tony and Jeanine Littau were residing. Several generations of students recall her education, guidance and basic ethical principles that carried throughout their lives - “If you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all.” Also “a right glove and left glove is a pair” and there are Advent calendars made in 1st grade that still grace many walls every December. Her impact on the community of being kind and fair can still be felt and she continued to care for all of her students regardless of their age as the years went by.
Susanne and Leonard retired from a second career serving others in Alaska as vocational rehabilitation counselors and volunteering in the community in 2010. Susanne especially loved the time she spent reading for the blind on the radio. They then split time between North Carolina and Michigan where they were able to spend time with their sons and their families. They were amazingly proud of all of their grandchildren. Susanne had a deep connection with granddaughter Claire who was always in her thoughts and prayers.
Susanne dearly loved her nieces and nephews and often served as a surrogate grandmother to the next generation. She was so proud of everyone in her family and former students; she never remembered the disappointments but shared to everyone their achievements.
Susanne and Jeanine were the driving force behind any good scheme Len and Tony had, often funding the endeavors in some way with their sweat equity behind the scenes. Susanne and Tony, as the youngest two out of twelve siblings, were passionate at connecting the family even though they spread across the country. In the past year Susanne loved the bi-weekly connection with her nieces, nephews and other family via zoom. She was always the aunt that was considered someone the following generations could rely upon for support and connection to family and will be dearly missed.
Susanne is survived by sons Jon (Carolyn) and George (Eleanor); six grandchildren: Alex, Christian (Abigail), Natalie, Jonathan, Claire and Sara. She is also survived by Leonard’s younger brother Lloyd Mundorf of Ainsworth, Nebraska, and many nieces and nephews of multiple generations, who were all very special to her.
A funeral service will be held at Christ Our King Lutheran Church in Saline, Michigan, on Friday October 22nd at 11am. A memorial service will be held graveside at Mount Hope Cemetery in Valentine, Nebraska, on October 30th at 1pm.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Lutheran Social Services of Alaska at https://lssa.kindful.com/