
Susi McCune, age 75, of Isanti passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, on October 14, 2024. A memorial gathering will be held on October 25 from 4 – 7 PM, with a sharing time at 5:30 PM, at the Isanti Community Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.
In her 75 years, Susi made an incredible impact on many lives. She will be remembered as a loving, optimistic, and generous spirit, known for her creativity, sense of humor, resourcefulness, and love of the color purple. A teacher at heart, Susi loved organizing, crocheting, knitting, reading, and spending time with her beloved family and friends.
Susan “Susi” Pauline McCune was born August 19, 1949 in McMinnville, Oregon to Joseph G. and Joanne (Guzman) Mau. At age five, her family relocated to Minneapolis, MN where she attended Ascension Catholic School and St. Margaret’s Academy. Susi attended St. Cloud State University for one year before entering Shell Dealer Management training, intending to follow in her father’s footsteps by owning a gas station. Instead, life and love led her to marriage and living on Air Force bases in Biloxi, MS and Anchorage, AK, where she welcomed her daughter, Pauline.
In 1973, Susi moved to Isanti, MN quickly becoming an active part of the community. A lover of needle arts, Susi opened the Town Yarn Shoppe. She served as President of the Isanti Commercial Club and member of the Isanti Chamber of Commerce. After running the business for nearly a decade and having her second daughter, Jami, she transitioned to selling Tupperware. Susi’s natural talent for connecting with people helped her flourish, eventually becoming a Manager with a large team. Along the way, Susi married her second husband and had her son, Michael.
Susi’s passion for organizing led her to establish Specialized Organizational Services, through which she helped countless individuals and businesses as a professional organizer. For nearly 40 years she helped others become more organized and trained many people interested in becoming professional organizers. She authored four organizing booklets and was featured as an expert in several newspapers and magazines. Susi was a proud member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) and served as president of the Minnesota branch.
Beyond her organizing career, Susi contributed to her community by working at Isanti Middle School and teaching numerous Community Ed courses, including Love & Logic, Kids & Cash, and SOS for Mess Distress. She would help anyone in need and supported several charities over the years, including Chemo Caps and Soles for Souls, and donating over 10 gallons of blood.
Susi’s love of needle arts led her to become a judge at county fairs and the Minnesota State Fair for over 30 years. Judging at the State Fair was one of her highlights of the year. She also cherished hosting weekly Stitch & Chat events, where a group gathered to work on projects, enjoy coffee, and share stories and laughter.
Susi was passionate about bringing books and resources to her beloved community and was instrumental in getting a library outreach center created in Isanti. She served as the President of the Friends of the Isanti Area Library (FIAL) group and played a lead role in organizing the annual FIAL book sale.
Susi hosted several students and teachers from various countries, and had friends from around the world. She co-owned Mr. Pete’s restaurant with the goal of providing a welcoming place for both kids and adults. Big Island Veteran’s Camp on Lake Minnetonka was a special place for Susi and her family.
Susi enjoyed walking, Zumba, eating, doing laundry and ironing, boating, going to the movies, and watching British mysteries, especially with her long-time boyfriend, Mike. The holidays were particularly meaningful to her; she delighted in decorating, writing personalized Christmas songs, hiding Easter eggs, and hosting family gatherings. Her “Keep Love Alive With 1 to 5” approach was a testament to her dedication to nurturing relationships.
Susi liked everyone and was appreciative of everything people did for her over the years, and especially over the last months of her life. She was incredibly proud of her children and grandchildren, who were all the lights of her life. Susi saw the silver lining to every situation, including cancer. Her optimism, positivity, and sense of humor stayed strong until the end.
Susi is lovingly remembered by her children, Pauline (Eric) Wangen, Jami Town (Dave Scheibel), and Michael Peterson; significant other, Mike Lilliefors; grandchildren, Christopher, Joseph, and Bailey; siblings, Terrie (Tom Plash) Mau, Joe A. (Wanda) Mau, Pam (Rob) Kuchera, and Charles Atchley; sister-in-law, Brenda Mau; grand-dogs, Jade and Mia; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Rick Mau, and sister-in-law Susan Atchley.
I had a dream of developing an online webinar business called “4 Dynamic Women” to train small business owners 4 key skill areas for success. Three women and myself would meet through divine encounters to make this business partnership a reality, each bringing their independent business’s skillset to the organization. Webinars we’re a hit and we went on to host in house training seminars. Susi was the organization expert of course. She was superb and such a blessing to our 4 Dynamic Women business that we operated for a few years. We had so much fun!!! I will remember Susi fondly. Surely she will be missed by many.
I worked with Susi in a variety of roles: Library for Isanti, organization, and served with her on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Association of Library Friends.
In every instance Susi was fun to work with, brainstorm and share ideas. She alone helped me move into my home 13 years ago and it was a fun day, and I so appreciated her good humor, sense of organization and just being such a pleasant person to be with. Bless you friend, you made a difference and walked the walk.
It was Susi’s, ‘You Can Be Professional Organizer’ seminar that I attended in 2000 that sparked my company, B Organized. Along the way, Susi continued to coach many of us to use our gifts to help others. Those 12 years were the best and Susi was a big part of that.
Her smile and genuine care of everyone she was with was a blessing I got to experience several times.
She is gone but never to be forgotten❤️
Susi was such a good friend. Everyone wanted to know her and claim her for their own. She made you feel like her best friend whether you knew her for a day or a year or for 54 years like I did. We met in Mississippi when both our husbands were in the Air Force. And that was it. Friends forever.
She was Godmother to our son Nathan. And she never forgot a birthday, an anniversary or a special day in our lives. And we loved her for it.
Susi will always be missed and always remembered. What a wonderful caring loving woman she was. Her family is a tribute to her and a life well lived. Susi will “dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.”
Susi was always trying to have fun. I was invited to her house many times for holiday parties, including Halloween parties with a different scary movie every time. She was passionate about everything she did including Isanti Friends of the Library, which will never be the same without her.
I cannot talk about Susi without mentioning purple. Purple in her hair, purple on the couch. Most small gifts she gave you had purple included with the color scheme.
Susi will be missed by many people including me.
Dear family and loved ones of Susi McCune
Susi was indeed a gifted human being who touched the lives of so many in the community and beyond over the years.
My husband and I moved to the township after our house was built at about the same time that Susi settled in Isanti and I knew no one except my husband’s family. Fortunately, I discovered the Town Yarn Shop which was in her home so that she could care for her young daughters. We connected over our joint love of needlework. As I recall, she won the grand prize at the Mn State Fair with her first entry of a knitted garment. We happened to meet in the Creative Arts bldg and she was so excited but there was so much more to come with becoming a judge of entries in county fairs and opening her Stitch and Chat group in her recent home.
We also took one of her classes on organizing the clutter that collects as we live in our homes over the years. Susi was always gracious and reassuring which made her a good teacher and friend. She will not be forgotten. Our condolences go to her family and friends. As requested, a donation is being made in her memory to the American Cancer Society.
Love and prayers,
Eileen and Joe Stitz