Janet "Susie" Sue (Lentz) Redder

Janet Sue Redder (Susie) passed away peacefully, April 22, 2025, following a brief battle with cancer.  She was surrounded by her family receiving their full love, the same love she spent a lifetime giving.

Born on Christmas Day, 1952, in Alma, Michigan, Susie embodied the spark and spirit of a firstborn child – fiercely loyal, strong-willed, and unapologetically herself. She grew up in Boyne City, Michigan, and after high school moved on to Mount Pleasant, Michigan, where she attended Central Michigan University. There she continued her family legacy by graduating with a degree in elementary education.

After college, Susie returned to northern Michigan where she found her calling as a lifelong educator in Petoskey’s Public School system. There she felt surrounded by the best staff, teachers and administrators Lincoln School had to offer. With her tireless work ethic, no-nonsense attitude, and unwavering commitment to her students, she became a beloved and respected figure throughout the district. She will always be remembered for her legendary leprechaun trap making, dinosaur stew, and unforgettable classroom parties.

Besides teaching, Susie was also passionate about reading, gardening, traveling, and exploring wineries with family and friends. But most of all she cherished spending time with those she loved. Her home was the center of every gathering - a place people enjoyed, not just because it was welcoming, but because she was there. Always the gracious host, Susie, would offer you a drink with a smile or insist you have something to eat – hospitality was simply second nature to her.  

Susie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She shared five decades of love and partnership with her husband, Carlton J. Redder. Their life together was centered on their two children plus extended family members.

Susie is survived by her husband Carl, two daughters: Kalie (Josh) Daniel, Petoskey, Michigan, and Anne (Calvin) Bekins, Grand Rapids, Michigan; siblings: Becky (Robert) Sevener, Alanson, Michigan, Hal (Heidi) Lentz, San Antonio, Texas, and Nancy (Jamie) Dole, Saginaw, Michigan. She was “Nana” to her six special grandchildren: Will, Griffin and Ellery Daniel, along with Callum, Brynnley, and Georgie Bekins. She was predeceased by her parents, Henry and Patricia Lentz and her brother John.

A private service will be held for the family, followed by a party celebrating Susie’s life. Open to all having crossed her path, we invite you to join us on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 1-4 pm at the Walloon Lake Winery, 3149 Intertown Rd, Petoskey, Michigan. A place she gathered in joy and laughter with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either the Petoskey Education Foundation or the City of Petoskey Fireworks Fund, two causes that reflect her passion for both learning and celebration.

May we hold up our teachers, mothers, parents and one another when we think to remind ourselves of nature’s greatest value and goodness...  “Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrances for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature.  We are all born to help each other.  No matter how difficult it is…Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.” – Pope Francis.  

Arrangements are in the care of Stone Funeral Home of Petoskey, Michigan.