Susan J. Kersten

Susan (nee Gill) Kersten, age 81 passed away peacefully on February 23, 2026 at Rennes Nursing Home in Appleton, Wisconsin. She was born on August 30, 1944 in Milwaukee to the late James and Mabel Gill. She was happily married to Merlin Kersten from October 17, 1964 until his passing in 2018. Sue worked for TJ MAXX for many years. She loved dogs and each one she met put a smile on her face. After her retirement, she founded Chesapeake Bay Retriever Rescue of Wisconsin, helping to find forever homes for countless dogs.

Sue is survived by her granddaughter Sarah (Martin) Coffeen; a brother Thomas (Judy) Gill; nephews Lee Schroeder, Jeremy (Jennifer) Gill and Jamie (Natalie) Gill; a niece Jennifer (Joe) Hilgers; four great nephews Ian, Alex, Colin and Blake; two great nieces Ashlei and Alethia and Alethia's son Beckett. She was preceded in death by her sister Patti Schroeder.

A memorial service for Sue Kersten will take place on Saturday, April 11th, at Riverview Lutheran Church, 136 W Seymour St, Appleton, WI 54915.  Visitation will be from 1:00-2:00 pm with the service to follow at 2:00 pm.