Obituary of Sue Semmelmann

On January 30, 2024, Sue Ann Semmelmann, at age 82 journeyed to the angels as a sunset painted the sky in her honor. Many know her from her time spent working at Walgreens, or as a regular at the hair salon; but all who knew her will remember her infectious smile, witty sense of humor, and her undying love for her family and friends. Her family finds peace in knowing that she is once again with her devoted husband, Chuck, who she missed so dearly for many years, and their sweet son, Scott, who left this world too early. She was born Sue Ann Peplinksi on April 28, 1941 to Loretta and Clarence Peplinski in Milwaukee, WI. She lived in Wisconsin through her childhood and always fondly reminisced on the summers she spent at her grandmother’s cabin with her younger sister, Lori (Peplinski) Moran. She graduated from Messmer High School in 1959. On a dare by her friends to go talk to the “cute guy with the cool car,” she confidently approached the love of her life, Charles (Chuck) Semmelmann. The rest was history. By July 7, 1962 the two were married at the St. Mary of Czestochowa. Soon enough, they were the parents of 4 children, Brian, Heidi, Scott, and Todd. Sue Ann was dedicated to raising her children and taking care of their home, which was no simple task with 3 boys and a plethora of large family dogs. In 1986, the family relocated to Lake Havasu City for Chuck’s job in the boat-making industry. He built their family home on Silver Clipper Lane where they would enjoy living the rest of their days. Soon, Sue Ann had 2 new job titles; the smiling face at the front register of Walgreens, and “Gramma.” She loved being a grandma to her grandchildren: Shelby, Austen, Cassidy, Lexi, Carley, Dillon, Colton, and Charli. They will cherish the memories of their sleepovers at Grandma’s house, picking lemons, and playing outside in the orchard. She was always more than happy to babysit for her kids but was known to occasionally be found asleep on the couch with the kids still up watching TV when they returned home. She was still the best babysitter they could have asked for. All who knew Sue Ann knew that she had a gift in cooking and baking. There wasn’t a cookbook in her collection untouched, a cooking tool too obscure for her to own, or a required amount of butter too egregious. She would simply smile and say that’s what made it taste so darn good. She was also known to always look her best. Her makeup was always done and she visited her daughter for her notorious hairstyle twice a week, every week. After retiring from Walgreens in 2015, her Mondays were spent with Heidi, her afternoons watching her favorite channel, QVC, and having dinners with Todd. She was always an excellent hostess, putting on the best family Thanksgivings, Easter egg hunts, and Christmas Eves’ every year. At her last Thanksgiving, she was able to spend time with her two great-grandchildren, Greyson and Arlo. To know her was to love her. Sue Ann loved to tell stories and it was clear that she lived many lives. The kind of love Sue Ann and Chuck shared was the kind people write songs about. The love she had for her children and grandchildren ran so deep it was felt that even when she wasn’t around. Though she will be missed by her family more than words can describe, in her final days she asked of us, “if you ever miss me, just look at the sky.”​