Susan L Safford-Gaul
Nov. 22, 1960 - Nov. 24, 2022
Chilton, WI
Funeral Service:
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022
2:00pm
St. John United Church of Christ
2111 Church St.
New Holstein, WI 53061
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022
2:00pm
St. John United Church of Christ
2111 Church St.
New Holstein, WI 53061
Funeral Visitation:
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022
10:30am - 1:30pm
St. John United Church of Christ
2111 Church St.
New Holstein, WI 53061
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022
10:30am - 1:30pm
St. John United Church of Christ
2111 Church St.
New Holstein, WI 53061
Susan L Safford-Gaul
Chilton, WI
Susan Louise Safford-Gaul, age 62, of Chilton, died on November 24, 2022, at Sharon Richardson Community Hospice near Sheboygan Falls. She was born November 22, 1960, daughter of the late Thomas and Georgianna Safford.
Susan, the sixth of seven children, was born in Escanaba Michigan. She graduated from Rapid River High School and attended Wright State University. Later in life, Susan was called to ministry and earned her Masters of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in the Twin Cities. During her time as a pastor, Susan served many churches and provided worship for her beloved parishioners. She first served at Amherst and Buena Vista United Methodist churches, followed by Emmanuel Community UMC in Menomonee Falls, Faith UMC in Brillion, and Faith and Bethel UMC in Sheboygan Falls.
Susan married Volker Gaul on her 20th birthday in 1980. Together they had three wonderful children, Erich, Jason and Annette. Family was the utmost importance to Susan and her family only grew with her marriage to her second husband, Michael Safford-Kennedy, in October of 2006. Susan was also blessed with three grandchildren, who made her heart sing with every visit to grandma’s. She was happiest spending time with her family, relaxing at the family cabin, and sharing stories with her best friend, her sister Jen.
Susan brought joy to everyone she encountered and encourage others to, “give the gift of a smile to someone today.”
Susan is survived by her husband, Michael Safford-Kennedy; children: Erich (Roxanne) Gaul, Jason Gaul, and Annette (Adam) Koepke; grandchildren: Desmond Gaul, Adeline Gaul, and Noelle Gaul; her sister: Jenny Safford; Mike’s children: Laura Kennedy, Heather (Dan) Feld, and Rob (Kristin) Kennedy; Mike’s grandchildren: Caleb and Parker Kennedy; her children’s father: Volker Gaul; brother-in-law: Peter Brock; sisters-in-law: Kris Safford and Alice Safford; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Susan was preceded in death by her parents: Thomas and Georgianna Safford; and siblings: Cindy Brock, Duke Safford, Thomas Safford, Klint (Dale) Safford, and Sim Safford.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at St. John United Church of Christ (2111 Church St.) in New Holstein. Visitation will be held from 10:30 am until 1:30 pm at the church on the day of the service.
To watch a livestream of Susan's service, watch a recording of the service in the future, see a video tribute in her honor, or view flowers given to the family, please click HERE
Susan, the sixth of seven children, was born in Escanaba Michigan. She graduated from Rapid River High School and attended Wright State University. Later in life, Susan was called to ministry and earned her Masters of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in the Twin Cities. During her time as a pastor, Susan served many churches and provided worship for her beloved parishioners. She first served at Amherst and Buena Vista United Methodist churches, followed by Emmanuel Community UMC in Menomonee Falls, Faith UMC in Brillion, and Faith and Bethel UMC in Sheboygan Falls.
Susan married Volker Gaul on her 20th birthday in 1980. Together they had three wonderful children, Erich, Jason and Annette. Family was the utmost importance to Susan and her family only grew with her marriage to her second husband, Michael Safford-Kennedy, in October of 2006. Susan was also blessed with three grandchildren, who made her heart sing with every visit to grandma’s. She was happiest spending time with her family, relaxing at the family cabin, and sharing stories with her best friend, her sister Jen.
Susan brought joy to everyone she encountered and encourage others to, “give the gift of a smile to someone today.”
Susan is survived by her husband, Michael Safford-Kennedy; children: Erich (Roxanne) Gaul, Jason Gaul, and Annette (Adam) Koepke; grandchildren: Desmond Gaul, Adeline Gaul, and Noelle Gaul; her sister: Jenny Safford; Mike’s children: Laura Kennedy, Heather (Dan) Feld, and Rob (Kristin) Kennedy; Mike’s grandchildren: Caleb and Parker Kennedy; her children’s father: Volker Gaul; brother-in-law: Peter Brock; sisters-in-law: Kris Safford and Alice Safford; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
Susan was preceded in death by her parents: Thomas and Georgianna Safford; and siblings: Cindy Brock, Duke Safford, Thomas Safford, Klint (Dale) Safford, and Sim Safford.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, December 3, 2022, at St. John United Church of Christ (2111 Church St.) in New Holstein. Visitation will be held from 10:30 am until 1:30 pm at the church on the day of the service.
To watch a livestream of Susan's service, watch a recording of the service in the future, see a video tribute in her honor, or view flowers given to the family, please click HERE
TO
I love you. Save a space for me.
MIJ (Freind) - Dec. 1, 2022
Michael, loving prayers for you and your whole family in this difficult time. May God bless you with comfort, peace, strength, and hope.
Steve Savides (Colleague) - Nov. 29, 2022
Dear Michael,
My heart goes out to you in sympathy and in empathy during this season of grief.
I know that you dedicated the best of yourself to taking care of Susan during her lengthy illness.
I pray that you will be gentle with yourself and that you will accept the caregiving of those around you.
Pastor Kathleen Gloff--Somers United Church of Christ
Rev. Kathleen Gloff (Colleague) - Nov. 28, 2022
What a shock! -So sorry to hear this. We enjoyed having her as our pastor, especially when our son passed. She's an angel watching over us.
Pat and Dean Wallace (Friends) - Nov. 28, 2022
I have many happy memories growing up with Sue and sleepovers as kids! Rest in Peace my friend.
Mary Pajnich Wilson (Friend) - Nov. 27, 2022
One of my favorite memories with my Mom will always be the many games of cribbage we would play on the porch swing of the cabin. She would always have an evil laugh and kick her feet when she got a good cut or complain that I need to not split the deck at the "Natural break" when she didn't get the right card. So much life advice and stories shared over Grandpa's board. I will miss playing with her.
Jason Gaul (Son) - Nov. 27, 2022
Deepest sympathy to Pastor
Mike, and all their friends
and family.
She fought the good fight,
with her faithful husband, by
her side.
She is now in the Loving
Arms of the Lord, out
of pain and at peace.
God Bless.
Connie Stoychoff-Waldvogel (Friend) - Nov. 26, 2022
I love you. Save a space for me.
MIJ (Freind) - Dec. 1, 2022
Michael, loving prayers for you and your whole family in this difficult time. May God bless you with comfort, peace, strength, and hope.
Steve Savides (Colleague) - Nov. 29, 2022
Dear Michael,
My heart goes out to you in sympathy and in empathy during this season of grief.
I know that you dedicated the best of yourself to taking care of Susan during her lengthy illness.
I pray that you will be gentle with yourself and that you will accept the caregiving of those around you.
Pastor Kathleen Gloff--Somers United Church of Christ
Rev. Kathleen Gloff (Colleague) - Nov. 28, 2022
What a shock! -So sorry to hear this. We enjoyed having her as our pastor, especially when our son passed. She's an angel watching over us.
Pat and Dean Wallace (Friends) - Nov. 28, 2022
I have many happy memories growing up with Sue and sleepovers as kids! Rest in Peace my friend.
Mary Pajnich Wilson (Friend) - Nov. 27, 2022
One of my favorite memories with my Mom will always be the many games of cribbage we would play on the porch swing of the cabin. She would always have an evil laugh and kick her feet when she got a good cut or complain that I need to not split the deck at the "Natural break" when she didn't get the right card. So much life advice and stories shared over Grandpa's board. I will miss playing with her.
Jason Gaul (Son) - Nov. 27, 2022
Deepest sympathy to Pastor
Mike, and all their friends
and family.
She fought the good fight,
with her faithful husband, by
her side.
She is now in the Loving
Arms of the Lord, out
of pain and at peace.
God Bless.
Connie Stoychoff-Waldvogel (Friend) - Nov. 26, 2022
