Susan Ruth Collard, 53, of Marysville, slipped quietly into the presence of the Lord she loved on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at the family home in Marysville. She was accompanied at death by her beloved mother, Fern and her “little” brother, Alan.
Susan was born on October 19, 1958 at Port Huron Hospital, the third child and only daughter of Neil Kenneth and Fern (Duquesnoy) Collard. She was joyously welcomed home by big brothers Peter and Timothy.
Susan graduated from Marysville High School in 1976. She acquired a love for writing that shaped her future goals under the guidance of English teacher Shirley Bellow. Susan graduated with honors from Tennessee Temple University (Chattanooga) in 1980 with a BA in English and a minor in journalism.
Susan was an editor and writer for Stonecroft Ministries (Kansas City, MO) for the past 25 years. She was the managing editor of the ministry’s Progress magazine for a number of years, She also served as “ghost writer” for three different CEO’s of the ministry, often helping them to express what they wanted to say - only better. As a freelance writer Susan wrote devotional material and Sunday School curriculum for a number of publishers. She especially enjoyed mentoring young writers and ministry interns.
Whether she was “Aunt Sus” or “Miss Sue”, her love for children was evident. After college, she taught for 5 years at the Montessori preschool in St. Clair. After moving to Kansas City, she became actively involved in the ministry of Red Bridge Baptist Church, working with the “tweens” and developing a puppet ministry. With a flair for the dramatic, Susan was frequently writing, directing and/or performing in a variety of different scenarios.
In 2008 Susan moved back to Marysville to help care for her parents. She continued to write and edit for Stonecroft from “the Marysville office.” The congregation of First Baptist Church of Marysville quickly became an integral part of Susan’s life.
Neil Collard, Susan’s father, hero, and the Voice of the Vikings, went home to be with the Lord on September 17, 2009. She is survived by her loving mother, Fern; three brothers, Peter (Jan) Collard of Ritzville, WA, Rev. Timothy (Sandra ) Collard of Pekin, IL and Alan (Tammy) Collard of Marysville. She was a loving and favorite aunt to two nephews and seven nieces.
Visitation will be 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Sunday and 6-9 p.m. Monday in the Marysville Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 in the First Baptist Church of Marysville.
Burial will be in Riverlawn Cemetery.
Two ministries were very dear to Susan: Stonecroft Ministries and Haiti House of Hope - an orphanage ministry of Red Bridge Baptist Church. Susan requested that memorials, in lieu of flowers, be made to either of these special ministries.
To send condolences, visit marysvillefuneralhome.com
