Susanna was born to Samuel & Anna (Wipf) Kleinsasser on January 13, 1941 in Parkston, SD. In 1945, when she was 4, her family moved from Rockport Colony to Rosedale Colony. She was baptized in 1960 and married Joshua Grosz on November 17, 1963 in Rockport Colony. Together they shared 45 beautiful years together.
While living in Rockport Grandpa & Grandma were faithful servants to their garden ‘ample’ yielding beautiful produce all the years that the job was occupied by them. They always had the first tomatoes of the season around July 4th which people would remember as time went on.
When Rockport established their new colony in 1986, Grandma moved with Grandpa and their 9 children to Oaklane. She was appointed ‘Kleine Schul ankela’ and since help was short she alone held the position for a few years, She was ‘Kleine Schul ankela’ for 14 years. She was dedicated when it came to all aspects of colony life, work, or otherwise.
After Grandpa’s passing in 2008, she filled her days with many of her favorite pastimes, sewing, singing her favorite German songs, word searches, tending to her many flowers and houseplants, and checking up on the grandchildren. Her love for them was evident in numerous phone calls she made. Her curiosity was often sparked by conversations, and she loved to share and reminisce about the good old days.
Even after her recent decline in health, Grandma still enjoyed being among the community. She still visited her children and grandchildren, just not as often. In recent months, Grandma was housebound but her days were filled by her caregiver’s love and patience.
Susanna (Steven) Waldner, Meadowview Colony
Stephanie, Tamara, Amanda, and Janelle
Betty Ann (Rev. Mark) Wipf Shannon Colony
Chantel, Markus, Suzanne, Darius, Stephen, and Ruth
Theresa, deceased (Joseph) Waldner, Meadowview Colony
Patricia, Joshua, Jolene, Darrin, Adrian, and Kendra
Joshua (Stacy) Grosz, Oaklane Colony
Gabriel, Ayden, Whitney, Hudson
Linda (Clarence) Waldner, Meadowview Colony
Tyron, Colter, Sheldon, Chelsea, Brayden, Tanaya
Judy (Tobias) Wipf, Oaklane Colony
Julie, Rodney, Tobias, Damaris, Jonas, Abigail, Isabel, and Ella
Steven (Rebecca) Grosz, Oaklane Colony
Tyler, Janaya, Stephen, and Tarissa
Bradley Grosz, Sioux Falls, SD
Amanda (Ted) Decker, Springlake Colony
Titus, Bradley, Savannah, and Shania
3 Sisters; Gladys, Theresa, and Katherine
She is preceeded in death by her parents, Samuel & Anna
(Wipf) Kleinsasser her husband, Joshua; a daughter,
Theresa; 3 grandchildren, Ryan, Kordell, Ryan; 3 brothers,
Samuel, Joseph, and Daniel; and 3 sisters, Emma, Anna,
Ruth, and Rebecca.