Susan K. Epple

Susan Kuhar Epple Susan (Sue) Kuhar Epple, age 62, died peacefully in her St. Charles, IL home on June 23rd comforted by her beloved husband, Steven Epple, and surrounded by the God-given caregivers who helped ease her transition to the next life we all seek. A private family service was held an June 27 at the Kuhar Family Plot at Woodlawn Cemetery in Joliet, IL. Susan was born and raised in Joliet, IL by her late parents; Ludwig V. and Beverly Kuhar, and schooled at St Rays. After attending the University of Illinois she adventured to Honolulu, HI where she lived for several years while working at a rock music radio station and later as a legal assistant for a law firm. Sue relocated to Fort Lauderdale, FL in the 70's. She became a real estate paralegal and later a consulting practice manager where she met her true soul mate Steve and joined into loving commitment with him. Their home was in Coral Springs where Sue created her first garden filled with colorful Bougainvillea and Hibiscus. They moved to Chicago in 1990, designed and built their dream home in St. Charles in 1995 and married at the Herrington in Geneva in 1996. Sue loved to be with her family, especially the family Christmas at her St. Charles home, with its turkey dinner and beautiful holiday decorations including her 50+ piece Department 56 village. She created and tended a marvelous and extensive garden filled with collected Hostas, Peonies. and Iris, doted over the family cats and mastered genealogy and knitting. Sue's genealogy library was extensive and she wouldn't record just recollections but meticulously researched and documented every entry. She and Steve visited many cemeteries and archives in the US and Germany to verify her information. Many searchers worldwide have contacted Sue for accurate information which she freely provided. She and Steve also loved to travel, frequently returning to Florida and Hawaii, and were fortunate to have visited many places of their dreams including the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio De Janeiro, Tulip time in Holland, April in Paris, Canada Rail across the Rockies, the Rhine, Ludwig's Castle in Bavaria and both of their ancestral hometowns in Germany and last, but certainly not least their honeymoon in an overwater bungalow in Bora Bora. Susan is survived by a family who so dearly loved her. Her brother, Ludwig J. Kuhar (Geraldine) of Joliet; her very close niece and nephew, Kimberly Greenwald (Eric) of Naperville, IL and Chad Kuhar (Claudette)of Plainfield, IL; and her stepson and stepdaughter, Chris Epple of Port Orange, FL and Piper Williams (Steve) of Canton, GA; and of course, the kids. Whether she was Auntie Sue or Granny Sue, Alex, Megan, Kaitlyn, Catheryn, John and Bailey knew they had an almost fairy Godmother who brought them very special things and cared about them very much. Steve and all of the family acknowledge their great debt to the caregivers of Provena Hospice for the loving care they provided to Susan in her last months. So that they may be able to continue this mission to others, we ask that you direct any memorial gifts to them at 799 S. McLean Blvd,. Elgin, IL 60123. ""Susan, we love you and always will. You were our magnet. Know that our memories of your laugh, your smile, and the twinkle in your eyes will brighten our lives until we join you again.""