Susan Kay Vogel

Susan Kay (Gustafson) Vogel, age 77, of St. Marys, Kansas, fell asleep in the Lord on August 18, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Born to Willard and Clara Gustafson in Erie, PA, Susan was the youngest of four children and is survived by her sisters Jean and Carol, but was preceded in death by her older brother, Bill. She later moved to the Pittsburgh area and graduated from Springdale High School in 1965. After some years working for Bell Telephone, she married James Vogel, Jr., on February 28, 1977. She had two sons, James III [Anna], of St. Mary’s, KS, and Brian [Stephanie], of Irwin, PA, and 10 grandchildren, in addition to many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. Her husband, James, preceded her in death in 2011. Her family was always her greatest joy.

Born a Lutheran, she converted to the Catholic Faith as an adult. She later discovered the traditional Latin Mass, to which she remained firmly attached, crediting her devotion to Our Lady through the Rosary. She was a parishioner of the Immaculata in St. Mary’s, KS, since 2015, and before that, Our Lady of Fatima in Pittsburgh, since 1999.

Susan will be remembered above all for her selflessness, kindness, ready smile, generosity of time to anyone in need, and unwavering trust in God. She never complained, even through various trials in life, and always turned her attention to others, offering a kind word, an interest in their lives, and helpful advice when needed. She was “mom” or “Grammy” to many. No matter where she lived, she consistently displayed remarkable hospitality and always kept her doors open to others; her home was always a place where people felt welcome. She loved birdwatching, gardening, teaching (especially her children and grandchildren), and long conversations. Her generosity was constant, always doing what she could to help someone in need.

Despite years of health struggles, she bore them with patience, always maintaining a cheerful heart and showing her family how to trust in God’s will. She spent her final decade with her son James and his family in Kansas, who were honored to share in her quiet example of faith and perseverance. Although she missed her friends in Pennsylvania, she stayed in contact with everyone religiously. May the Poor Souls, to whom she had a regular devotion, now help her to the heavenly gates, now that her earthly pilgrimage is over.

All are welcome to a visitation from 1-4 pm on Monday, August 25, at the Vogel residence (27914 Guadalupe Lane), where she was most comfortable. A rosary will be recited at the Immaculata at 5:20 pm. A Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am on August 26 at the Immaculata by Fr. Patrick Rutledge, her former pastor in Pittsburgh. The Mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed by clicking the following link at the time of the service: Click to view the service. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery. There will be a luncheon at St. Joseph’s Hall afterward; all are also welcome. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Immaculata online by clicking here. More than anything else, the family asks for prayers for the repose of her soul.

“Let the heavens be opened to her, and the angels rejoice with her. Let the archangel St. Michael, whom Thou didst appoint the chief of the heavenly host, conduct her. Let the holy angels come out to meet her, and carry her to the city of heavenly Jerusalem. Let blessed Peter the apostle, to whom God gave the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, receive her. Let St. Paul the apostle, who was a vessel of election, assist her. Let St. John the beloved disciple, to whom the secrets of Heaven were revealed, intercede for her. Let all the holy apostles, who received from Jesus Christ the power of binding and loosing, pray for her. Let all the saints and elect of God, who in this world have suffered torments in the name of Christ, intercede for her; that being freed from the prison of her body, she may be admitted into the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”