Susan Elaine Wanninger

Susan Elaine Wanninger, a resident of Macomb, Illinois, died peacefully on January 25, 2024. She was born on May 14, 1945, to the late Wesley and Eugenia (Taylor) Stevens in Portland, Indiana.
Sue is survived by her sons, John Wanninger of Chicago, IL and Joe Wanninger of Noblesville, IN, along with three grandsons (Nicholas Wanninger, Jackson Wanninger, and Matthew Wanninger), her niece Christie, and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Ann Stevens. 
Sue grew up in Macomb, Illinois, and was a 1963 graduate of Western High School. After high school, she initially attended the University of Michigan and then continued her education in Iowa City.  She married her childhood friend Charles T. Wanninger and graduated from the University of Iowa.
Sue, Chuck, and their boys lived in many places around the country, with stops in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Washington, Kansas, Indiana, and Iowa. During that time, Sue raised her two sons and found time to work in corporate, philanthropic, and impact programs, ranging from a child advocacy non-profit agency to a philharmonic orchestra. She also worked as a real estate agent and in various administrative positions throughout her career.
She was a long-time advocate for Planned Parenthood and served on the organization's board of directors in Indiana.
Sue spent much time on the North Side of Grand Cayman.  Her parents bought a retirement home there in the late 1960s, and Sue became friends with many Caymanians. She counted her friends in Cayman as some of her best and most meaningful relationships.
After her divorce in 1996, Sue lived in Lafayette, Indiana, and then in Crystal Lake, Illinois, where she married Harvey Pautz. She and Harv traveled the world together, spending a lot of time together in her beloved Cayman Islands and hanging out at the local bar in Crystal Lake (or their backyard bar) with friends, cheering on the Packers and the Cubs.
After her second divorce, Sue returned home to Macomb, where her dear sister Ann had also retired. In Macomb, she became reacquainted with great friends from her youth and regularly got together with these wonderful people and new friends. She was also active politically in Macomb, volunteering in local elections and working for the local Democratic Party, as well as supporting Democratic candidates with her time and money. 
Sue was a lifelong voracious reader, sometimes going through several books per week. In addition, everyone who knew Sue knew she was an extraordinary cook and baker.  She often catered parties for friends, and her dishes were always the ones people looked forward to most.
Sue always spoke her mind, and she would definitely let you know if she disagreed with you. She was whip-smart, sarcastic, determined, and deeply loved her family and friends. 
She will be dearly missed.  A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. Gifts in lieu of flowers may be made in Sue's memory to Planned Parenthood of Illinois (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-illinois).
Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb is in charge of arrangements.
You may leave condolences and sign the guest book online at clugston-tibbitts.com.
 

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