In Memory

Sue Watson (Ehrmantraut) VIEW PROFILE

Sue Watson (Ehrmantraut)

 Sue M. Ehrmantraut

Posted: Wednesday, September 7, 2011 12:00 am
BLOOMINGTON — Sue M. Ehrmantraut, 65, Bloomington, died at 9:44 p.m. Monday (Sept. 5, 2011) at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal, after an 11-month illness.
Her funeral will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, with the Rev. Vaughn Hoffman officiating. Burial will be in Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, Bloomington, or the American Heart Association.
Sue was born Dec. 24, 1945, in Bloomington, the daughter of Howard and Helen Decker Watson. She married Michael A. Ehrmantraut on June 5, 1966, in Bloomington. He survives.
She is also survived by a daughter, Angie Ehrmantraut, and a son, Jeff Ehrmantraut, both of Bloomington; three grandchildren, Bailey and Lily Pontius and McKenna Ehrmantraut; a sister, Joanne (Ron) Carr, and a brother, Jim (Sharon) Watson, both of Bloomington; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Sue was a 1964 graduate of Bloomington High School. She served as president of the McLean County Apartment Association and was an avid Illini and Chicago Cub fan. Sue lived and loved life to the fullest.
Sue was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and sister and will be dearly missed by all those who knew her.
The family would like to express their gratitude for the loving care provided by the staff at Maple Ridge Care Centre in Lincoln.
 



 
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09/06/11 12:41 PM #1    

Marvin Theobald

Our dear friend Sue has been the foundation of the BHS Class of 64 and will be missed like no other.  Her loss will be deeply felt by all who knew and loved her.  It is hard to imagine the future without her smile, her leadership, her humor, her friendship, her loving support of the Class of 64.  She was truly a friend that was always there for all of us.


09/07/11 01:05 PM #2    

Milan Jackson

 With Sue it was "once a friend, always a friend". The prettiest smile you can imagine. We chatted behind the scenes before I got involved in this site. She was such a special lady. 


09/20/11 07:47 PM #3    

Jack Habich

Sue Ehrmantraut - December 24, 1945 - September 5, 2011

by Angie Ehrmantraut on Monday, September 12, 2011 at 9:14pm

God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be, So he put his arms around you and whispered Come With Me. With tearful eyes we watched you suffer, And saw you fade away, Although we loved you dearly we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, Hardworking hands at rest, Death broke our hearts today, But God got the very best. Its lonesome here without you, We miss you more each day, Life doesn't seem the same, Since you've gone away. When days are sad and lonely and everything goes wrong we seem to hear you whisper "Cheer up and Carry on" Each time we see your picture you seem to smile and say "Don't cry, I'm in Gods keeping - We'll meet again someday."

Thank you so very, very much to each and every one of you who have been there for us throughout not only this past year, but for all of our other days. The outpouring of love and support for us and for Mom has been incredible! I have been blessed with an amazing support system. I have the best friends and family anyone could ever hope to have. They have helped me maintain my strength, been there to listen, to talk, for a hug, and throughout this past week, have been the literal shoulder I have needed to cry on.

I am so proud of my mom. She was and always will be one of my best friends. She is my hero and my miracle. The doctors all said she was fighting for me. She wanted to make sure we were all ok. The discussions Mom and I had in the days leading up to losing her tell me now that she truly knew her journey on Earth was about to end and her journey in Heaven was about to begin. I had my brother come home last Friday. I know that Mom was holding on to see Jeff, and she didn't even know he was coming into town. It was a great surprise for her. Mom didn't give up. Mom didn't give in. Mom found acceptance, and when she found that acceptance, that angel came down for her. It was peaceful, no pain, no long goodbyes, no decisions I would need to make. Mom knew it was coming, she asked Dad to hold her hand. She found acceptance - she did it her way.

I have learned that there is as much planning for a funeral as there is for a wedding, but that instead of 2 years to plan, you have 2 days. Mom was so loved that our friends and loved ones waited 2 hours to share their favorite memories with us. Having never been in a receiving line at a visitation or funeral, I thought people just went up and said "I'm sorry" and kept going. Instead, the visitation which was scheduled from 4-7pm went until 9pm and those that came through shared with us their favorite stories or memories of Mom. It was so emotional - I let a years worth of tears fall, but those memories, those hugs, the overwhelming amount of love that was on display was beautiful. I'll never not go to a visitation because the line may be too long, if I'm able to make it, I will...because those stories and tears and laughs we shared together on Thursday night will be with me forever to comfort me...and if I can do that for someone else, it will be a most beautiful gift that I can share. Mom's service on Friday was the same for us...obviously, very difficult, but we were surrounded with love. Many came back to the house with us and we had a celebration of Mom's life.

Saturday, we watched the Illini game in near silence (though as I was thinking about watching the game the week before with Mom, I said I L L in my head and Mom responded with I N I!) We went to a birthday party on Saturday night for one of dad's UPS feeder driver co-workers and it was just what we needed as we begin this journey of healing. Dad wasn't sure he wanted to go, but Jeff and I thought he should, and it turned out to truly be what was best for us.

Yesterday, Jeff, the kids and I went to church with Dad. He wanted help in jumping that hurdle, so we jumped it together. We watched the Bears (well, I watched the first half..then fell asleep) and took Jeff to the airport in the afternoon. Dad asked if I wanted to go get another cry out of the way and jump another hurdle with him in going to the Western Tap. We did, and we had our cry, but were able to cry with those who make the Western Tap so special to all of us.

Today was spent shopping for a headstone. After the first place, I had a sheet of paper with a drawing on it, and everything written out as far as names, dates, size, polish, color, font type, font color, vase style, color, apron, and stone style so I could just give it to them and I wouldn't have to talk about it all over again. I heard from the 2nd and 3rd place "Where'd you get this?" I told them I'd made it. Apparently, most families don't mind talking about it or just aren't prepared. I fell into the category of 'the less I have to talk about this, the better, so please give me a price on this.' At the end of the day, a beautiful black stone was ordered. Dad was pretty silent - kept telling me to pick it out and get what I want. I was going for 'understated elegance' and I'm quite certain I achieved it. It should be in place within 8-9 weeks.

I am and will be forever grateful that my children and I's last words to Mom were "I love you!" Now, we begin the healing process. I am still numb, my mind is still all over the place - but Mom came to me in a dream that I woke to this morning telling me she was with me. Everyone has said she's still with me, but I needed to hear it from Mom. Now I will face each day knowing that part of my heart is in Heaven with Mom, but also knowing what I need to do on Earth to ensure that Mom remains proud of me.

Thank you to those who have been a part of Mom's medical team throughout this past year. You have truly become family to me. Thank you to Mike, one of the EMT's who was at the house when I arrived last Monday. Mike is a friend of mine, and someone else on the emergency crew wanted to talk to me, but I only wanted to talk to Mike. He was professional, understanding, gentle and most importantly, the friend and adviser I needed at that moment. To Gary and Ed, thank you for being there. To our friends, thank you for loving us. To our family, thank you for helping us stay strong and for being what family is all about. To my co-workers at Connoisseur Media - you have been awesome to me. I was able to take time off for a few months, and have had emergencies come up where I needed shifts covered and everyone there has been simply wonderful to me.

Whether we feel we're ready or not, it's time to begin our healing. It's time to - as some of you have told me, reclaim my life. I put my life on hold for the past 11 months. I have been broke, I've gotten disconnection notices from Cornbelt and 5 day notices from Danbury, but I've scraped by. And you know what? I'd do it all again. I have no regrets. I am just as proud of myself as I have been of Mom. I did things I never thought I'd be able to do and I did them all out of love, because family is everything to me. So now it's time to reclaim my life...to live, love and laugh.

From the very depths of my soul and bottom of my heart, I thank you. Thank you for loving me, loving my mom and for your constant support.


09/21/11 11:05 AM #4    

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

Angie did a fabulous job "Saying it all".  We know Sue and Mike are VERY PROUD of who you've become! Sue IS and ALWAYS will be in our hearts!  Angie, if you're able to read and check into this site, you ARE the apple of your Mothers eye!  We know how much she loved and still does love her family and friends. She displayed her love of life, family, and friends through her beautiful smile and caring disposition!  We loved and still love you Sue and will ALWAYS remain a part of the Class of 64.  Thanks for watching over all of us!  You are beautiful both inside and out.  You'll always be with us!  We love you!


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