Cover photo for Susan Aehl's Obituary
Susan Aehl Profile Photo
1935 Susan 2020

Susan Aehl

October 23, 1935 — June 19, 2020

Madison - Susan Ann Aehl (nee Smrz), a wonderful mother to five children, and much loved by eleven grandchildren, died at home on Friday, June 19, 2020, at the age of 84.

Susan was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Clarence and Loretta Smrz on October 23, 1935.  Susan was the oldest of “The Smrz Girls,” loved by her sisters Judy Fojut (Robert) and Kathy Peterson (Steven).  She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy, and later from Mount Mary College with a degree in Occupational Therapy.  She married John Aehl on January 11, 1958, after meeting him at a Marquette University mixer.

John and Susan settled in Madison, where Susan worked as an occupational therapist at Central Wisconsin Center for 35 years.  She enjoyed sewing clothes for the children when they were young.  Some of the favorites were dresses and red capes for the girls and sport coats for the boys.  An avid knitter, she was a longtime member of the Madison Knitters’ Guild.  Susan helped organize a book group that is still meeting after 18 years. Always willing to learn something new, Susan took up playing the keyboard at the age of 70.  She formed many friendships, whether it was at work, knitting, practicing Tai Chi or riding the elevator.  She made friends easily – and kept them. Susan enjoyed simple things: her daily peppermint mocha frappuccino, Dots and watching the neighbors come and go.

She is survived by her husband, John; her children, Michael (Conni), Suzanne McLenachen (David), James (Karen), Laura Roth (Dale), Daniel (Heidi);  grandchildren, David (Debbie), Julie (Zach), Jacob (Assem), Ben, Peter, Michael, Jennifer, Alice, Vanessa, John and Kathryn; her sisters, Judy (Robert) Fojut and Kathy (Steven) Peterson; brothers and sisters-in law, James (Carol) Aehl and Richard Aehl; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, and sister-in-law, Carolyn Aehl.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 405 S. Owen Dr., Madison, on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. with Msgr. Kenneth J. Fiedler presiding. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery. A visitation will be held at church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the mass.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Road

(608) 238-3434

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Susan Aehl, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)

Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church (Wisconsin)

WI

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Funeral Mass

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)

Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church (Wisconsin)

WI

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