Susanna Gibson

Beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother Susanna “Sue” Mae Gibson, age 74 passed away March 29, 2019 at Diamond Willow in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.  Sue was born on August 17, 1944 in Chicago, IL., the only girl of Karlo and Mae Peltonen.  Shortly following Sue’s birth, the family moved to the homestead in Palo, MN.  Sue attended school at Biwabik School and met the love of her life Jim Gibson while attending a high school dance.  Sue and Jim were married on February 4, 1961 which brought them 57 happy years.  Many years were spent on the Iron Range in Minnesota before Sue and Jim moved to Detroit Lakes, MN in the 1980’s.  Jim and Sue were introduced to the gospel by Merle and Lois Gibson and were born again in 1965.  They attended Beacon Bible Church for many years. They were loving parents and raised their children according to the gospel. Sue attended beauty school at the Wadena Tech in 1961. Later Sue attended college in Hibbing where she enjoyed studying art and learning about her Ojibwe culture and language.  Through the years, Sue became accomplished in her art, selling and gifting many pieces to family and friends. In 1993 Sue attended nursing school at MSCTC in Detroit Lakes, graduating as an LPN.  Sue always enjoyed and excelled at school often maintaining a 4.0 gpa. Sue leaves behind 5 children, sons Thomas Gibson of Quartzite, AZ, Richard (Jodie) Gibson of Buhl, MN, Jesse (Tiffany) Gibson of Moorhead, MN and daughters Deb (Nick) Dorman of Detroit Lakes. MN, Heather (Jeremy) Pihlaja of Frazee, MN. Sue also leaves behind a special daughter/cousin; Cathy Wirta that lived with the family from ages 3 to 6.  (Cathy states, “They gave me the love I needed for without them my light would not be shining as brightly today.”) Brother Charles “Steve” (Betty) Peltonen of Mathews, North Carolina.  Sue also leaves behind many cherished grandchildren who brought her much joy in her life; 17 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Sue is preceded in death by her husband, James “Jim” Gibson; parents, Karlo and Mae Peltonen; and brother, Mike Peltonen.