L. Suzanne (Sue) Gikas, 94, passed away peacefully March 9, 2025

Sue was born June 27, 1930, in East Tawas, Michigan to Eino and Elizabeth (Luedtke) Haglund. Following her passion for helping others, she pursued a degree in nursing. Sue attended Sparrow Hospital Nursing School in Lansing, graduating in 1952 as a Registered Nurse. While in nursing school she met her future husband Paul W Gikas. They were married on December 27, 1952, and lived in Ann Arbor. Sue began her nursing career there supporting them as Paul completed medical school and residency. After moves to Philadelphia, Virginia and Texas they settled back in Ann Arbor to raise their family. Sue stayed home to raise their 3 daughters, Sandra, Sarah and Paula when they were young. She was devoted to her family and her community. She encouraged her girls to try things and pursue their passions, supporting them and cheering them on.

Sue was an accomplished seamstress, making her family’s clothes, prom dresses and skating dresses often creating her own patterns. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining at their home and cottage, passing this love on to her children and grandchildren. She also spent time volunteering in the community: St. Luke Lutheran Church, local politics, the Red Cross Blood Bank, and AAFSC. Once the girls were in school Sue went back to work at the Breast Cancer Detection Center which led to her role at the Breast Cancer Center at Michigan Medicine. Sue also worked for over 10 years with the NCAA leading drug testing crews around the country. She loved college sports, meeting college athletes, and making sure the crew she brought with her had fun. After retirement she spent many years volunteering at the Michigan Medicine Friends Gift Shop, often bringing her grandchildren with her. The family shares many great memories at their cottage on Lake Huron. She loved sharing her hometown, the lake, woods and beach with everyone, especially her 9 grandchildren. They were the highlight of her life; she had a close relationship with each of them, also encouraging them to pursue their passions and loved them unconditionally.

Sue was an avid sports fan, cheering on every Michigan team and loved going to games. She also loved to support her grandchildren by going to watch whenever she could, football, wrestling, volleyball, dance and hockey and was never afraid of a road trip. Sue was thrilled to be able to watch her great grandchildren’s games online!

Sue was always willing to help anyone, a friend or stranger, everyone was always welcome.

Sue is survived by her children, Sandra (Philip) Brooks, Sarah (John) Malinosky, and Paula Nagelvoort; grandchildren, Aaron Brooks (Kim Ruiz), Paul Brooks, Heather (Steve) Stanley, Joshua (Mandie) Malinosky, Faith (Joshua) Burhoe, Noah (Jill) Malinosky, Christian (Mackenzie) Nagelvoort, Zachary (Taylor) Nagelvoort, Grace Nagelvoort, 12 great grandchildren, a nephew and several nieces.

She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother and 2 sisters.

On Saturday, March 22, 2025, visitation will be held at 10-11:30am at St. Luke Lutheran Church of Ann Arbor, with a funeral service to start at 11:30am. Burial will take place after at 2pm at Forest Hill Cemetery of Ann Arbor, Michigan.

In Lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to The Red Cross – redcross.org or House by the Side of the Road housebythesideoftheroad.org.