Susan (Stone) Schnabelrauch
December 2, 1935-April 23, 2026
Susan Schnabelrauch, 90 years old, passed peacefully to her eternal home in Heaven from natural causes, with family by her side. Up until a recent short hospital stay related to complications from congestive heart failure, Susan lived in the home she and her late husband Lloyd built together, 60 yrs ago to raise their family. Susan was born on December 2, 1935, to Orpha (Wireman) and Willard Stone of Magoffin County, Kentucky and is survived by daughters Kim (Lauryn, grandchildren Mark, Daniel and Jeanene (Michael) Rulason and great grandchildren Theo and Zoey) Rodgers, Peggy (Todd, grandsons Hunter and Landon) Napieralski and Amy (Peter, granddaughters Olivia, Sophia, and Gabriella) Hanover, and five siblings, Herbert Stone, Abagail Prater, Phillip Stone, Clifford Stone and Arbutus Love, as well as many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, and the love of her life, husband Lloyd, whom she was married to for 63 glorious years, along with their first born, infant son, Brett Allen. She had also lost four of her siblings prior to her death; Denver Stone, Vertrice Schnabelrauch, Judy Williams, and Sam Stone.
Susan grew up on a busy family farm in the hills of Kentucky where they raised chickens, cattle, sheep and many other animals. There was fresh milk, free-range eggs, homegrown vegetables and wool they spun into yarn to knit mittens and socks. What they couldn’t grow or raise, their father ordered into the general store he owned. Susan graduated from Salyersville High School in 1953, at the age of 17 and went on to be one of the 3% of women in the 1950’s who graduated from college and earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Kentucky University. She was an elementary school teacher for many years. Although she enjoyed teaching tremendously, her true passion was for her family. She was always busy homesteading by raising a garden, canning and preparing home cooked, sit-down meals every evening. She would host large, holiday dinners served on lovely china, complete with homemade pies, even as recent as this year. She was dedicated to providing many opportunities for her children such as piano and art lessons, which she also joined in. She and Lloyd put in a swimming pool in the back yard so that their kids’ summer days could be spent with friends in the sunshine. The family also travelled on many road trips cross-country and enjoyed camping, stopping along the way to visit family and friends, in pursuit of major attractions such as the Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone and Disney. Sue and Lloyd were also instrumental in moving their daughters around the nation for college, internships and job placements. They were always there to help. Another favorite activity that Susan relished, was sewing. She was a master seamstress and made bridesmaid dresses for each of her daughters’ weddings, as well as her own wedding dress. In her final days, her daughters would marvel at how amazing it was to watch her in what they called, “sewing-world”, where she was as sharp as ever and was the happiest. Another notable trait of Susan was her ability to organize at work and at home, which facilitated another career managing a Zondervan bookstore. Even in her later years, she made many lists and labels with her beautiful penmanship that remained exquisite.
Susan always prioritized her family and put God first and foremost. She and Lloyd attended church each Sunday with their daughters and would minister in many capacities at South Lansing Christian Church. In some of their empty nest years, they served as custodial staff and in the church office. Susan’s faith in the Lord was devout and unwavering and she led by example. Please join us in celebrating Susan’s life and the promise of salvation at a memorial service and lunch, Friday, May 15, 2026, at 11 am, at South Lansing Christian Church 6300 N. Aurelius Rd, Lansing, MI 48911, officiated by Ron Otto.
