Obituary of Susie Gutwin

GUTWIN – Susie Ann – We are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved mother, Susie Ann Gutwin. Susie (also known as Susan), was born on January 19, 1941, on a farm east of Swift Current, to Peter and Agatha (Dyck) Langemann, and was the youngest of six children. When she was five years old, her family moved into Swift Current to a house on 9th St. East. Susie attended Elmwood Elementary School, and Swift Current Collegiate Institute. She went on to attend the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, and earned her 2 year teaching certificate. During this time she met a fellow named Glenn Gutwin, and the two were married on July 14, 1962. Susie taught at Oman School for a couple of years, but her career was interrupted by the birth of Glenn and Susie’s oldest child, Gail Susanne, in 1964. Two sons were added to the family: Russell Glenn, in 1966, and Thomas Bradley in 1967. Susie tended to her young family at home, cooking, gardening, helping with the children’s activities, and planning some memorable cross-country and cross-border summer camping holidays. Susie found the time to take classes to upgrade her own education, too. In 1979 she received her Bachelor of Education from the University of Regina. Susie returned to teaching elementary school full-time and taught where assigned at Central School, Ashley Park School, and Oman School before she retired. She was proud to have taught many children to read; she really loved teaching and had a passion for early childhood education. The home on 4th Ave., which Glenn and Susie built when married, provided her comfort and stability through the changes life brought. During the mid-80’s, all the kids were away at university and starting careers and families. Glenn passed away unexpectedly in 1988. Susie continued steadfastly as before, teaching, caring for and visiting her aging Mom and mother-in-law, managing the family and her mother’s farming interests, and maintaining the home and farm yard for dozens of years. After her retirement, Susie remained in her home and planted a garden every year that notably grew delicious tomatoes and a forest of hollyhocks right up until this year. Aging and health challenges grew, making travel out of town difficult. The family farm was sold, and consideration of a change of home entered family discussions. All the while, Susie enjoyed seeing family visit Swift Current and hearing of her 6 grandchildren’s lives and milestones. The home accumulated and helped preserve the memories she cherished. At the beginning of July 2016, Susie fractured her hip while out in the yard. Although she initially showed determination and good progress toward recovery, this was unfortunately followed by other health complications and rapid deterioration. Susie passed away in the hospital peacefully on September 30, 2016. Susie was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Agatha Langemann, her husband, Glenn Gutwin, and her brothers: Arthur, Edward, and Peter Langemann. She is mourned by her children: Gail (Gutwin) Wilson of Saskatoon, SK (husband Kevin and children Carolyn and Graham), Russ Gutwin of Edmonton, AB (wife Lana and children Ian and Renae), and Tom Gutwin of North Vancouver, BC (wife Mary Tourlas and children Christopher and Nicholas). She is also mourned by her sisters, Helen Langemann of Swift Current, SK and Mary Horst of Vernon, BC. The family would appreciate any memorial donations to go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. A funeral service took place Wednesday October 5, 2016 at 2pm at Bridgeway Community Church in Swift Current. The interment took place at Mount Pleasant Burial Park in Swift Current beside her late husband, Glenn. For further information or to sign the family book of condolence, visit www.parksidefuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Parkside Memorial Funeral Home – Ryan Cappelle