Susan Marie Yekich (nee Lund)

January 10, 1953-June 12, 2026

Susan “Susie” Marie Yekich, age 73, was born to Eternal Life on Friday, June 12, 2026.  She was the beloved wife of Nick for 52 years; a loving mother to Nicole (Justin) Swart, Stephanie (Josh) Kraus and Nissa Yekich; proud “Grammy” to Brandon and Derrick (Juleesa) Swart, Scott, Ethan and Norah Kraus and Emilia and Sunita Quiroz.

Sue was the cherished sister of Sherry (Richard) Seef, Lois (Chuck) Seng, Austin Bapple, Sandy (Matt) Bapple; as well as sister-in-law to Melissa “Chicky” (Jimmy) Urbanzcyk, George Yekich, Mike (Marlene) Yekich and Rosie (Darryl) Seerup.   She was a wonderful aunt to many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Morry and Phyllis Lund; and her in-laws, Mike and Marie Yekich; as well as her sister, Lora Bapple; sister-in-law, Elaine (Rade) Bozovich; and niece, Lynda Urbanzcyk.

Her greatest joy in life was her family.  She was an incredible wife, mother and grammy.  Nick and Susan’s love story spanned 52 years.

Susan was such an amazing and talented person.  Knowing her meant being in awe of her true and extensive talents.  There was nothing that she could not fix; everything was made more special by her touch.  She was so incredibly smart with a creativeness that was unmatched.  She spent countless hours doing woodworking projects with her dad, always by his side, as he whistled and they talked.  She loved all types of wood- intrigued by different colors and grain, even the smell.  Her mom and her spent countless hours crafting and creating all sorts of things that still are in pieces spread across generations.

Her love of creating started and flourished into her own craft of sewing.  She could make anything from wedding dresses to curtains- all she needed was her mind and her sewing machine.  She started sewing when she was a teenager after a class that she took in school.  From there, it flourished into a love that spread over a lifetime.  After Nick bought her the Rolls-Royce of sewing machines, she truly was able to create anything she wanted.  She spent years making so many beautiful creations- costumes, dance dresses, upholstery work, wedding dresses, christening dresses, and so much more.

It was no surprise that when she went to work for her sister and brother-in-law at their tax business, her official title was “Special Projects,” which basically meant she fixed anything and everything.  She spent 25 years there making a lasting impression on not only clients, but also on fellow employees who always looked to her for answers and help.

Nick and Sue met at US Steel. From countless phone conversations where Nick described Sue as a mysterious stranger with an angelic voice to the infamous ride he gave her into work on a frigid cold morning, it was clear that sometimes when something is meant to happen, God and the universe have a way of making sure it does.  While the drive from Chicago to Crown Point for their first date was long, it did not take long for Nick to fall in love with “his Susie.” Married on June 2nd, 1974, they just celebrated 52 years of marriage.  Nick and Sue have always been the perfect example of opposites attracting, while Sue was always the calm and steady rock, Nick was always the passionate and fiery one.  Susan rarely raised her voice or got upset, and if she did, it was earned.  While they were both stubborn in their own rights, they were always a perfect balance.

If ever a person was meant to be a mother, it was Susan.  She made everything special from holiday traditions like Christmas mornings where their house smelled of Swedish porridge on the stove and Swedish coffee bread rising in the oven to making Serbian quarter bread and nutroll.  She had a talent for baking, even making wedding cakes for a while.

She always did such a great job of incorporating both Swedish and Serbian traditions, making sure both cultures were strongly engrained into each of her daughters.  Nick’s mom spent a day teaching her how to make all the Serbian recipes and in 2019, she converted to Serbian Orthodox.  Although before then, she had long made her mark and place in the Orthodox church family, often making sure her daughters were at Sunday school and spending more time in the pews than Nick.

She loved each of her daughters in a way that was catered and perfect for their personalities- knowing each child needed different things to feel loved and seen.  She had a way of supporting and highlighting each of her children’s unique strengths- making sure they all flourished in her light and love.  And of course, a mom like this was meant to be a grandma.  She always said “Being a grandma was the next best stage in life” and she meant it. She had such a special bond with every one of her grandchildren, who span from the “bigs” to the “littles.” She always doted on them and lovingly called them all “Sweetie.” She always had time, a listening ear, and a loving heart for each of them.  She never missed a sport or event, always being there to support each grandchild.  Her home was always filled with all the things that made it feel like a second home for each of them.  Her children never needed to pack a diaper or a toy, because she would always have her house stacked with her grandchildren’s favorites.  She was an excellent gift giver, which is not shocking considering her keen observational skills and talent to know what each child loved.

She truly was always her children’s first call or text, knowing they could count on her to fix whatever problem or issue was troubling their minds or their hearts.  There was never a challenge she could not meet and overcome.

All of our hearts and lives will never be the same without her kindness, love and warmth, but her lasting impact will never be forgotten for it lives on in everyone who was blessed enough to call her family or friend.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at St. Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church 1500 186^th St. Lansing, IL with Father Aleksandar Savic officiating.  Interment will follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens Crown Point, IN.  Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at KISH FUNERAL HOME 10000 Calumet Ave. Munster, IN from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with Pomen Service at 7:00 p.m. and again on Thursday, at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the 10:30 a.m. funeral service.

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