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FAIRMONT -- Mass of Christian Burial for Sue Ellen Schissel, 80, of Fairmont, Minn., will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Fairmont. Burial will follow the service in Lakeside Cemetery, Fairmont. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont, with a rosary and prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the of service from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Friday at St. John Vianney Catholic Church.
Sue passed away peacefully Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, at her home in Fairmont. Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Fairmont is assisting the family with arrangements.
Sue was born March 3, 1942, in Sioux City, Iowa, one year after the birth of her brother, Joseph. Both Sue and Joseph were adopted on June 29, 1942, by Arthur and Gertrude Schissel who lived in Lakota, Iowa at the time. Her dad made a living by owning and operating the Schissel Elevator for 42 years. Sue attended Woods School in Pennsylvania for eight years. This upbringing served Sue well in life as she was a social butterfly both in Lakota as well as in Fairmont when her family moved here in 1965. She was a ray of sunshine to all she met; a fan of Liberace, Elvis, and Christian music; an aficionado of game shows, westerns, the Vikings, and of course, the Minnesota Twins. One of the most fun things for Sue to do was eat out, being a connoisseur of pizza, glazed donuts (with coffee, of course), and plain cheeseburgers with fries.Throughout her life, Sue developed a penchant for scarves, mittens, shoes, purses, and rosaries. Artistically, Sue used her mind and hands to create beautiful ceramic figurines and mugs Some of her ceramics and paintings earned her ribbons at the fair and she had numerous showings of her work in the cities. Sadly, these things are now gone with the passing of Sue Ellen. The one thing Sue hated was the wind, no matter the velocity, and the wind was blowing the afternoon Sue died: no more headwinds for Sue. While in Fairmont, Sue worked with Marnie Brodt serving meals at the senior center. Later, Sue worked for MRCI at various jobs until her retirement in 2008. Her family was proud of her and considered her a fun-loving "Lady of Leisure." She loved her brother Joe unconditionally, as she did her friends, caregivers, and animals, treating them kindly, to the point deer were eating right out of her hand. As a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church for over 57 years, Sue generously donated school supplies each fall for the students at St. John Vianney School. In 1999 REM workers began living with and caring for Sue 24/7 until the end. Her caregivers were devoted to her every need, especially in her declining years. Sue was truly a "blessed lady." Sue Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Schissel (Nov. 10, 1990), Gertrude Schissel (Sept. 26, 1999); and her brother, Joseph Schissel (Dec. 26, 2022). Those left to cherish her memory include her sister-in-law, Marti Schissel of Rapid City, S.D.; several cousins, guardian, conservator, many friends, and especially her REM caregivers who had also become her family; along with UHD Hospice team who cared for her for over a year. The family requests memorials be left in Sue's name to St. John Vianney School Endowment Fund and UHD Hospice. www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net