Susie E. Savatovic

Susan “Susie” Elizabeth Savatovic (Nee Tourek) passed away February 16, 2025 at the age of 74 after a courageous battle with Lymphoma.

Susie was born in West Allis to George and Bernadine Tourek. She is survived by her loving husband of 52+ yrs, Bob Savatovic, her children Lisa Savatovic (fiancé Matt Kaschak) and Mick Savatovic (Ashley), grand children Savannah Kalman and Kinley Savatovic, her siblings George Tourek (Pam) and Janis Suhm (Bill), she was proceeded in death by her sister Marilyn Matter (Norm) and brother Mark Tourek (Sandy). Susie is also survived by very special nieces and nephews.

Susie graduated from West Allis Central High School in June 1968. She met the love of her life and future husband, Bob, on June 28, 1968 at a teen dance hall called The Factory. They spent the entire summer together going to ball games, dancing, swimming, cheeseburgers, State Fair, etc. That fall, Susie enrolled at UW-Whitewater and Bob enrolled at UW-La Crosse. Susie received her BS degree in Business Education in May 1972 and Bob received his BS in Administration that same month. They dated all four years in college, cherished their summers together and were married July 15, 1972.

After graduation, Susie taught Business Education for 6 yrs at Menomonee Falls North High School where she was also the Cheerleader Coach and Co-Op Coordinator. Lisa was born in 1978 and Susie stayed home to be a full time Mom. While being a terrific Mom, she also sold Indian jewelry on a part-time basis. Then she got a calling from God to help the deaf and blind, and she completed advanced courses in sign language from MATC and UWM and earned her State License. Susie worked at the Milwaukee Deaf and Blind Center for many years and then was hired as the Sign Language Interpreter at Franklin and Wauwatosa Public schools which she absolutely loved. She wanted to give back to the community and always felt it was a blessing from God to work with the deaf and blind.

She was the best “Grandma Susie” to her 2 granddaughters, Savannah and Kinley, who she just adored. Susie was a fantastic home maker, “chef” and professional decorator. She made all the Holidays so very special especially Easter and Christmas. She would bring out “tons” of decorations, assemble her Department 56 Christmas Village and display ornaments too many to mention. Susie was extremely active in Body Pump, racquetball, gardening, golf, biking, boating and driving her Red Miata Convertible. She was a long-time dog lover and terrific trainer of which our 2 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and 5 collies will attest to . . . she loved them dearly.

In addition to being a wonderful wife, mom and Grandma Susie, she was also an accomplished bird carver in which she won many state first place awards. Susie would spend hours and hours carving ducks, loons, woodpeckers, etc. She was constantly asked to sell her birds but, she always said no because then it would be a job . . . she was a super talented lady!!

Our family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the professionals at St. Luke’s Hospital, Dr. Syed Abutalib, the wonderful nurses at the Lombardi Cancer Clinic with special love to Irene Pochtarev.

As you can tell, Susie was a remarkable lady! She was a true caregiver, loved her family, loved Jesus our Lord and Savior and was loved by everyone . . . I can’t express how much she will be missed. We love you, Susie!

Visitation is on Wednesday, February 26, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Hales Corners Lutheran Church, 12300 West Janesville Road, Hales Corners, WI 53130. The funeral service will follow at 12:00 PM.