Susan K. Spielmaker

Susan Kay Spielmaker, a longtime nurse whose genuine compassion, kindness, caring and sense of humor brightened the lives of many people in West Michigan care institutions over many decades, died Dec. 12, 2024 after an extended illness. She was 66.

A lifelong West Michigan resident, Sue was born in Grand Rapids on Aug. 18, 1958, and grew up with five sisters and two brothers. After graduating from Grand Rapids Central High School in 1976, she worked in a variety of jobs before deciding on nursing as a career.

She earned her Licensed Practical Nurse degree from Grand Rapids Community College while raising her two boys as a single parent. That began a long career of dedicated skilled nursing care to a variety of Grand Rapids area institutions serving the elderly, ill and people with disabilities such as Alzheimer’s.

It was in those settings that Sue’s many professional and personal skills shone and where she most felt in her element. She regularly referred to patients as “my people” – especially those needing memory care whom she enjoyed for their gentle nature. Sue would sometimes sing to those patients as she cared for them.

Always ready with a smile, a laugh and a kind word, she helped her patients find comfort and humor in even the most difficult situations. Sue had the unique ability to present her patients with forthright information and help them sort through options without judgement or criticism.

She felt special joy in serving at Indian Trails Camp in Ottawa County, which provides summer adaptive recreation to children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities. Sue used vacation time from her primary employment to work for weeks at a time at Indian Trails, where her gentle and positive manner left a lasting impression on camp participants and staff.

In later years, she enjoyed going thrifting, caring for her plants, coloring, cheering on the Detroit Lions and relaxing with her beloved dog, Sasha. She was especially looking forward to attending the August 2025 wedding of her oldest grandson, Westley Spielmaker.

Sue is survived by: sons Roy (Lindsay) Spielmaker of Allendale and Ryan (Jennifer Gillette) Spielmaker of Sparta; three grandsons and two granddaughters; parents MaryAnne Rivers and Gordon Friese of Williamsburg, Mich.; siblings Karen (Steve) Langseth of Lynchburg, Va.; Rick (Deb) Spielmaker of Logan, Utah; Cindy (Jerry Morlock) Spielmaker of Grand Haven; Anne (Mark Werkema) Rivers of Grand Haven; Cathy (Peter) Pisciotta of Grand Rapids; and Elizabeth Rivers of Williamsburg, Mich.; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her father, Ron Spielmaker, and brother, Mark Spielmaker.

Following Sue’s wishes cremation has taken place.  The family is planning a memorial gathering in the future.  If you would like to share your remembrances and condolences, please visit  Memorial Alternatives website. 

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