Bishop's administrative assistant dies

6/25/2012

By Susan Cooper, Kansas Area communications associate director
Susan Elizabeth Steuber, Kansas Area Bishop Scott Jones’ administrative assistant, has died from complications arising from cranial surgery.

Susan Steuber
“Susan Steuber was a faithful servant of Christ who saw working for the Kansas Area as her ministry,” said Jones. “She saw her role as helping others. Hiring her in the fall of 2004 was one of the best decisions I have made as bishop. Her gentle spirit, efficient work, pleasant personality and hard work made my work as bishop more effective than it could otherwise have been.”

Steuber, 55, suffered an aortic dissection, or rupture of the aorta, Dec. 15, 2011. A stroke following the surgery to repair the aorta left her partially paralyzed. However, she retained her sharp sense of humor and strong determination to make a full recovery.

On May 21, Steuber underwent surgery to replace a section of her skull that had been removed in December to combat swelling of her brain. However, complications arose from the surgery, and she died June 3 in hospice care at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita.

“She has been sorely missed since her stroke occurred in December, and I am deeply saddened by her untimely death. She leaves behind a wonderful, loving family, which is a testimony to her life as daughter, wife, mother and grandmother as well,” Jones said.

Work colleague and friend Bev Weber shared, “Susan taught me how very important each person in our life is and that God calls us each to do ministry in our own way. I will miss her willingness to help and her ability to make me feel that God was in control.”

Steuber was an active member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Wichita, where, she had been a lay speaker, taught Sunday school, sung in the choir and made decorative banners for the sanctuary.

Prior to working for the Kansas Area of The United Methodist Church, Steuber had been employed as an administrative assistant at Aldersgate UMC in Wichita and provided day care when her own children were young.

At the memorial service June 11 at Aldersgate UMC, Steuber was remembered as a person who saw the good in everyone.

Survivors include her husband, Les; children, Jason Steuber and Kristina Dalton, both of Wichita; and seven grandchildren.

A memorial has been established with the Kansas West Conference for the Chabadza Covenant with Zimbabwe. Donations may be sent to Timmons Funeral Home, P.O. Box 168, Fredonia, KS 66736, or made online at http://tinyurl.com/7yhadhp.