Susan Nelson

Susan Marie Nelson, 75 of Delton, passed away peacefully after a yearlong courageous battle against pancreatic cancer on April 2, 2026. Born on June 24, 1950, in Kalamazoo to John and Louise (Green) Van Dyke, Susan lived a life marked by love, curiosity, and dedication to her family and passions.

Susan graduated from Portage Northern High School in 1968 and went on to earn a secretarial certificate from Kalamazoo Valley Community College. She began her career working for the city of Kalamazoo in the 1970s, where she met the love of her life, Bill Nelson, in 1973. The two were married on June 1, 1974, and together they built a life filled with love and adventure. After starting their family, Susan devoted herself to being a full-time mother. Once her children were grown, she returned to the workforce as part of the Emergency Ambulance Response Systems Inc. team for Mall City Ambulance, where she served as vice president of operations.

A lifelong learner with an insatiable curiosity about the world around her, Susan found joy in many hobbies that reflected her vibrant personality. She was an avid reader who especially loved science fiction books and films-anything involving space captivated her imagination. Her passion for knitting brought warmth to those around her; she created countless handmade treasures for friends and family and was an active member of the Knitting Club at the Delton District Library. Known as the group's expert knitter, Susan was always ready to share her knowledge.

Susan's adventurous spirit extended beyond books and crafts. She had a deep love for puzzles of all kinds-jigsaw puzzles, word puzzles-and enjoyed solving them with precision and enthusiasm. One of her most remarkable accomplishments was geocaching across all 48 contiguous states as well as every county in Michigan and every township in Kalamazoo, Allegan, and Barry Counties. Her meticulous planning made these trips both successful and memorable.

She also treasured time spent with Bill at their oceanfront condo in Myrtle Beach-a place where they could relax together while enjoying the beauty of the sea.

Susan is survived by her beloved husband Bill, their children Jeremy (Shay) Nelson and Tonia (Jon) Aho, grandchildren Breydan, Trask, and Sigrid, and siblings Lois (Bob) Nichols, Albert (Lynda) Van Dyke, Terry Van Dyke, Barbara (Craig) Hayward, and Joseph (Linda) Van Dyke. She was predeceased by her parents John and Louise Van Dyke and her sister-in-law Jane Van Dyke.

Please visit Susan's memorial webpage to share condolences and memories with her family at https://www.Langelands.com