Susan L. Durfee

Susan Lee (Stransky) Durfee, known better as Sue, was born the first child of Bill and Marlys Stransky. Sue was born in Mitchell, SD, on February 19, 1960, and died at home after a short battle with pancreatic cancer on October 1, 2024, in Fond du Lac, WI. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Marlys Stransky and an infant brother Scott Stransky. She is survived by her two sisters, Pam and Cindy (Lloyd); her husband, Omer “Bill” Durfee; three sons, Michael (Megan) Durfee, Ross Durfee, and William (Nikki) Durfee; two daughters, Alia (Sam) Krerowicz and Vikki (Jamie) Laudolff; and nine grandchildren.

Sue, known by Mom to her children and Grandma to her grandchildren, grew up literally on the South Dakota State Fairgrounds in Huron, SD, as her father was the grounds foreman, and he was provided with a house right on the fairgrounds. Sue and her sisters shared a horse while growing up. She graduated from Huron High School with the Class of 1978. She graduated from the Northwest College of Commerce in 1979. 

Sue met her husband Bill Durfee in Pierre, SD, on January 18, 1986. They later married in Onida, SD, on August 9, 1986. Sue followed her husband wherever his career would take him, raising the family they had together. In 1995, she began attending South Dakota State University, ultimately achieving her Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs in 2001.She later attended South University, achieving her Master of Business Administration in 2013 and her Master of Science in accounting in 2014.

Sue was not afraid of working whatever job was necessary to support the family. Sue worked for the South Dakota Department of Transportation, Williams County Child Support Enforcement, Tuesday Morning, many other jobs, and ultimately, working at Rogan’s Shoes for sixteen years. 

She knew how to enjoy life as well. She liked to knit and to crochet whenever she could, and she and her husband Bill enjoyed attending Brewers and Timber Rattlers games and concerts of various artists. Even though she and Bill were fans of the Minnesota Vikings, they both owned stock in the Green Bay Packers as they respected the ownership model of the Packers.

Sue moved to Fond du Lac with her family in 2004, and they made it their home. She enjoyed that three of her children (Ross, Vikki, and Will) were living in Fond du Lac, with a fourth (Mike) in Waterford and her oldest daughter Alia in Indiana.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at Salem United Methodist Church in Fond du Lac and again on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM. The funeral service will follow visitation on Wednesday at 11:00 AM at church. Burial will follow in Rienzi Cemetery, Fond du Lac.

Services are in the care of Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935. Additional information and guestbook can be found at ueckerwitt.com