DAVID J. SUSAN (October 7, 1945 - July 6, 2026 ) David Susan passed away on July 6, 2026 in Marquette, Michigan.

Pastor Susan’s ministry touched three nations over six decades of following Jesus, who kept leading him to people and places where all could serve together. Growing up Lutheran in several of these United States, David early discerned a call to ministry; in 1971 he completed the path to ordination in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. While singing in the Concordia College Choir, Bronxville, NY, he met Shirley—the “Love” of his life--they were married at Valparaiso University in 1968. After graduation from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO and a Fulbright-scholarship in music and theology in Berlin, David was ordained and served Immanuel, a robust country congregation in Courtland, MN. He and Shirley adopted son Mark, who “brought Korea home to us before home moved to Korea.”

As a missionary for eight years with the Lutheran Church in Korea (LCK), David taught at Luther Seminary Seoul, adapted music for the LCK’s sung communion liturgy, and assisted with the Korea Luther’s Works project; the Susan family was also blessed by the adoption of daughters Rebecca and Michelle. Returning to the U.S. in 1984, David pastored Immanuel, Madison WI until retirement in 2005. Convinced that “the ground is level at the foot of the cross,” together with laity and colleagues, his Immanuel focus was worship planning and parish nurture. He sang bass with the UW Madison Choral Union and was active nationally in the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.

In the community, he led a tutor-mentor program at Lowell Elementary School and worked with the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center on development projects. In retirement, David enjoyed cooking and biking. After Shirley retired in 2010 following 19 years as a reading specialist at Cottage Grove School, they kept busy with children, grandchildren Samara and Aiden, and countless excellent Madison hiking opportunities. The family wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and support, especially David’s siblings and brother in law and the medical staff of the UP System Hospital Marquette. David enjoyed time at the family camp in Michigan for almost 80 years.

Memorial service will be August 30 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Madison. He will be buried on September 1 in the Susan family plot in the Park Cemetery in Marquette, Michigan.

Memorials can be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church Foundation, 1021 Spaight St., Madison, WI 53703 or to Lutheran World Relief, https://lwr.org. Condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.