Suzanne Joan Mussatt passed away peacefully on March 30, 2026, at Oasis Hospice Home in Flossmoor, Illinois, shortly after reuniting with her children and grandchildren. Born January 9, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, to Suzanne (Adamek) Surak and John Surak, she was 84 years young.

Known affectionately as “Honey” since childhood, Suzanne grew up with her mother and grandparents on Keeler Avenue in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood. Her family was deeply involved in St. Peter and Paul’s Slovak Lutheran Church, first on 19th and Union, later in Riverside, Illinois. She cherished memories of her grandmother cooking traditional Slovak meals, hosting lively family gatherings, and managing the household-qualities Suzanne emulated lifelong.

Brilliant and hard-working, Suzanne graduated as salutatorian of Farragut High School’s Class of 1960. She attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, on scholarship, then launched her elementary teaching career in Portland, Oregon, where she taught for two years. Returning to Chicago in 1965, she met Jerry Mussatt at a Downers Grove orientation lunch for new teachers; he boldly asked her out that week in the middle of the street in downtown Downers Grove. He proposed that Christmas, and they married August 20, 1966.

Suzanne spent over 20 years of her teaching career at Wilson (later O’Bannon) Elementary School in Hammond, Indiana, teaching the Third Grade. She is remembered as a passionate educator who took great care and pride in her students, who she loved dearly.

Suzanne and Jerry raised two devoted sons: Jeff (Lynn) Mussatt and David (Kathryn) Mussatt, along with cherished grandchildren Mila, Morgan, Nolan, and Madison—the heart of her world. A passionate reader, cook and gifted baker; Sue devoured cookbooks and cooking shows. Sue had a passion for gardening, which showed by her immaculately manicured backyard garden of flowers, herbs, and vegetables. She and Jerry traveled the world, creating joyful memories. Her zeal for learning carried throughout her life and she taught her family everything she knew about her and Jerry’s heritage and the city that she loved.

Predeceased by her parents and grandparents, she leaves behind her husband, sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren.

Funeral service will be on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 5:00 pm at Kish Funeral Home, 10000 Calumet Ave. Munster, IN. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4:00-7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Holy Shepherd Lutheran Church in St. John, Indiana, or the Munster Garden Club are appreciated.