Susan D. Altenbach

With her children by her side, Susan D. Altenbach, age 73, passed away peacefully Saturday morning April 22, 2017 at her residence, following a courageous battle with cancer. Susan was born in Racine on September 1, 1943, daughter of Norbert and Margaret (nee: Hegeman) Kosterman.

She was a proud graduate of St. Catherine’s High School “Class of 1961”, Dominican College where she earned a degree in Education, and National Lewis University where she earned her masters degree. On August 22, 1964, Susan was united in marriage to the love of her life, Peter Altenbach, at St. Rose Catholic Church. She was employed as an elementary teacher with Racine Unified for twenty-seven years, nourishing many young minds at Giese and Olympia Brown Elementary Schools. Following retirement in 2000, Susan taught for two additional years at Sacred Heart School. She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the REA. An avid card player, Susan enjoyed her time with her friends in her bridge clubs, and playing Sheepshead with her many friends. She also enjoyed gardening, spending countless hours tending to her beautiful flowers. Time spent with her family, doting on her many grandchildren and camping with her family gave her the most joy, especially the celebration of her 50th anniversary at the Delavan Lake house.

Susan will be dearly missed by her loving husband of fifty three years, Peter; children, Jeff (Crystal) Altenbach, Jennifer Maxwell, Joe (Jenny) Altenbach; grandchildren, Madison and Cecilia Altenbach, Jacob (Julia), Seth and Scott (Kaleigh) Malloy, Jamie, Brady and Taylor Maxwell; Luke and Logan Altenbach; great grandchildren, Owen, Nolan and Charlie Malloy; her mother, Margaret Mary Kosterman; brothers, Tom (Carole) Kosterman, Mike (Kathy) Kosterman; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jim (Tammie) Charnon, Laurie Nearing (Dick Stitch), Edith (Skip) Larson, Kurt (Arllys) Altenbach; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Susan was preceded in death by her father, Norbert and her sister, Cathy Charnon.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2201 Northwestern Ave, Thursday April 27, 2017, 10:00 a.m., with Rev. Ricardo Martin officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Family Cemetery, Hwy 31. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the funeral home on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 9:15 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. Memorials to St. Catherine’s High School or JP II Academy have been suggested.