Susan "Sue" M. Loppnow

Susan "Sue" M. Loppnow was born to Curtis and Lillian Reukema on October 5, 1943. She started her life in Wauwatosa, but soon made Hartland her treasured forever home.

Music was one of her lifelong passions. She was deeply involved with the Arrowhead band program while in high school, and started teaching piano and accordion lessons at Lakeland Music in Oconomowoc before she graduated. An entertainer at heart, she was being hired to play music for parties and celebrations throughout the area by age 15. Her parents had to accompany her to the adult venues.

After attending a year of nursing school at Deaconess, she decided on a different path. However, she never strayed from becoming the most esteemed caretaker and an expert in all facets of life. To be in her world meant you were fiercely loved and looked after.

Sue married Bob Loppnow in 1969 and together they raised their collective 6 children. Her life was happily dedicated to her family. She was counted on for endless aspects of parenting, problem solving, counseling, financial advising, medical and veterinary advice, home decorating, landscaping, cooking skills and party planning. She is said to be the google before google by her children! Amidst raising her children, her mother moved in with the family and lived her final 10 years with the unending dedication and devotion of Sue’s attention. Then came the grandkids! There was no daycare required for 6 of her 12 grandkids. She was it! She was the third adult in 2 families who was instrumental in child rearing and she wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Accurately described as the “energizer bunny”, vibrant and a leader, she continued sharing her musical gifts by teaching hundreds of piano students over the years. She was also a brownie leader, active in Job’s Daughters, a volunteer for the suicide prevention hotline and for the Teen Safe Ride program. She ran the Fun Fairs for Hartland Elementary and was on the Parent Consortium for Arrowhead. For over 50 years, she has been an active member at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Hartland participating in choir, bell choir, and the contemporary worship band the “Stonerollers”. She was very active with the Order of Eastern Star (OES). Sue was appointed to the Hartland Police and Fire Commission in 1996 and served as their president until last week.

Her home was another one of her pride and joys. Her yard is a masterpiece where she tended to every plant with great detail and concern. Entering her home, guests would be greeted by her animal friends. There were never less than 2 dogs, but for many years there might be a cat, bird, fish, hamster, guinea pigs, or gerbils who lived a happy life with her as well.

When her husband passed away in 2004, she lived her life surrounded by her children and grandchildren. In 2016 she attended her 55th class reunion and became reacquainted with an old friend and classmate, Michael Pariza. They became inseparable partners. He entered her orbit of fierce love and is an integral part of her family. They enjoyed family events, trips to his lakehouse, vacations, dinners out, building his new home in Hartland, and countless sporting events through the grandkids and their favorite collegiate and professional teams.

Sue is survived by her dear companion, Mike; her children Deborah Juber, Mike (Christine) Loppnow, Cari (Dave) Christman, Tom (Ellen) Loppnow, Ann (Dave) Grevenkamp; her grandchildren Nicole Juber, Matt Juber, Emma Loppnow, Robbie Loppnow, Mackenzie Christman, Carli Christman, Lindsey Christman, Zach Christman, Calie Hauswirth, Sonja Hauswirth, Gunnar Grevenkamp and Liv Grevenkamp; her great grandchild Baylor Juber; her cherished sister Marianne Grunske; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bob Loppnow; daughter Patricia Zenk, brother Carl Reukema, son-in-law Rich Juber, and her parents Curtis and Lillian Reukema.

The services to honor Sue will be held on Wednesday, May 17 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church (W299 N5782 County Rd E)

of Hartland. A visitation will be held from 3:00pm - 4:45pm with the service at 5:00pm. A private burial will be held on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the music program at Our Savior’s Lutheran church, the Hartland Police and Fire Department, or a charity that is close to your heart. Do good for the world like Sue always did.