Susan Elizabeth Gort

Susan Elizabeth (Faust) Gort passed away peacefully surrounded by her immediate family on the evening of June 5, 2025. Susan was born on October 24, 1939, in Hubbard, IA, to Elmer and Margaret (Hendrickson) Faust. Susan was welcomed into her new home by her older sister Sandra. Susan was grounded early in her life by her family, her faith and her music. In a handwritten paper at the tender age of 15, Susan expressed her joy at being a Christian. Susan was never boastful nor did her children ever remember her uttering a curse word. With this obituary her family is going to boast for her!

Susan dearly loved playing the piano and singing. Susan’s piano prowess showed through on Friday and Saturday, April 12-13, 1957, when she and her Hubbard teammates took first place in the piano division of the Iowa State High School music contest. Susan graduated from Hubbard High School in May 1957 and played the final piano solo at the Annual Spring Ensemble Recital on June 3^rd.

Susan went on to attend Westmar College in Le Mars, IA, graduating in three years with a Bachelor degree in Music and a minor in English. In the fall of her junior year, Susan was selected to the Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Susan was the solo pianist accompanied by a solo baritone singer for the Westmar Senior Recital held that spring following graduation. While at Westmar, Susan met the love of her life Maurice (Maurie) Gort. Maurie presented the love of his life with his class ring on March 7 and solidified their bond with a diamond engagement ring on Susan’s graduation day, May 28^th. They wed that summer in Willmar, MN, on July 23, 1960. Sadly, this joyous event had been preceded by the cancer death of Susan’s father, Elmer, on June 22^nd.

Susan and Maurie had three children who immediately, and forever, became the center of her world. Susan was adamant her children were proficient and comfortable in the water and “forced” them into swimming lessons at a very young age. Jumping off the high board at the public pool in Preston, MN at the age of four became a rite of passage. All went through the American Red Cross swimming classes and all were eligible for their lifesaving classes long before they were in junior high but each had to wait until they reached the appropriate age to complete those courses. Susan had a great fear of water, which was discovered only after the children’s graduations.

The family moved from Preston, MN to Rapid City, SD, to Blaine, MN, then finally to Forest Lake, MN, settling there in June 1973. Susan’s exposure to sports was minimal prior to meeting Maurie, but she became her family’s most fervent fan and a sports enthusiast. Susan could be found at all her children’s events. Susan decided upon, and completed, a legacy of taking each of her seven grandchildren on a trip of their choice for their 10^th birthday. Susan was very proud of that accomplishment.

Susan continued to stay connected with music and her church. Susan played the piano and organ at the churches the family attended and she was always a member of the church choir.

Shortly before moving to Forest Lake, Susan was struck by Guillain-Barré Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that took the ability to play the piano from her. She taught her grandchildren how to play the piano but her ability to play never returned. This was a devastating blow to someone so connected to music. Her singing voice, though, filled some of this void. She loved church choir and all her children remember sitting in the church pew, eyes closed, and picking their mom’s voice from the choir music. She loved her choir group dearly and dearly missed the Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings once her singing days were over.

Susan will be forever be surrounded by her legacy, which was to build a Prayer Garden at Faith. Susan, Mark and Gwen Hanson, and Carol Martin were the founding committee members to propose and move the Prayer Garden idea forward. Susan pulled together proposals and even spoke before the city council and others to gain approval for the project. She was tenacious in her presence at services to sell niches and it was with great pain that she ultimately turned the project over to the church. She would always smile whenever she spoke of the Prayer Garden.

With great solace to her family, Susan is now free of the physical constraints that took the most from her life – the loss of her hands, her hearing, and ultimately her movement. Susan is now playing the piano for God, Jesus, and singing in the choir of angels. Godspeed to our loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister on her next journey.

Susan is preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Margaret Faust. Susan is survived by her husband, Maurie, children, Jeffrey (Lynn), Terri (Scott) Kohls, Timothy; grandchildren Sam, Ben, Isaac (Hannah), Lucas (Sabrina), Hannah (Kyle), Jacob, Megan, great-granddaughter Hoa; sister Sandra (Tom) Dipko; many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. 

Susan’s life will be celebrated with a  service at 11 AM Friday, June 13^th with visitation beginning at 10 AM at Faith Lutheran Church, Forest Lake.  Interment, Faith Lutheran Memorial Prayer Garden, in which memorials can be directed to.  A special thank you to Ecumen Hospice & Amira Memory Care Staff for their devoted & loving care.