Susan Marie Gutendorf was born on September 20, 1950, in Dayton, Ohio. A loving wife, devoted mother, and an even more incredible grandmother. Sue passed away peacefully on July 18, 2026, after receiving the Last Rites of the Catholic Church, surrounded by her loving family.

Sue graduated from Julienne Catholic High School in 1968. When Julienne did not offer Physics, she simply crossed over to the neighboring all-boys school to take the class. Sue never allowed obstacles to stand in her way, a determination she passed on to each of her children and grandchildren. She graduated from the University of Dayton in 1972 with a degree in Medical Technology and remained a lifelong learner. She spent decades working in medical laboratories. At Kettering Medical Center she taught at the College and worked in the Blood Bank, at GeneScreen she managed staff and lent her expertise to any and all projects, and at Dayton Children’s Hospital she provided a consistent reliability in whatever job they had her do. There’s a good chance Sue knew your blood type, whether you had COVID, or perhaps even whether you were, in fact, the father.

Sue was an avid runner, taking up the sport at the young age of 50. She faithfully ran two to three miles daily and completed multiple Flying Pig and Air Force Marathons over the years. She was an accomplished gardener and botanist, with more flowers, plants, and trees than anyone could count. She was a fantastic chef and baker. She was famous for her legendary cheesecake. And her pound cake was eagerly competed over by the grandchildren for the last piece. She also served as a part-time veterinarian to any animal in need and was a dog-walker extraordinaire. More than anything, Sue loved gathering around the kitchen table with family and friends, sharing stories, laughter, and conversation—the more people, the merrier.

Sue is survived by her best friend and devoted husband of 54 years, Robert William Gutendorf Sr.; her sister, Barbara Ann Zink (Glenn); her daughters, Lisa Gutendorf Burke-Knoll (Kurt) and Anne Gutendorf Hendricks (Will); her sons, Robert Gutendorf Jr. (Jill) and John Gutendorf; and her sixteen beloved grandchildren: Joey, T.J., Josh, Sean, and Luke Burke; Ben, Sami, and Alexa Knoll; Arya, Eli, Benji and Finn Hendricks; Brynn and Annabel Gutendorf; and Jack and Sam Gutendorf.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rita Elizabeth and Hugh Stanley Sr.; her brother, Hugh Stanley Jr.; her sister, Patricia Wilson; and her niece, Celeste Wilson Valentour.

She will also be deeply missed by her nieces and nephews: Andrea Rieger (née Gauder), Dan Zink, Alison Melich (née Stanley), Matthew Stanley, and Trevor Stanley.

Sue was everyone’s biggest cheerleader. Whether on the sidelines of a sporting event or in the workplace, she found genuine joy in seeing others succeed. She had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel supported, encouraged, and valued. Even from her hospital bed, she was cheering on her nurses and doctors, thanking them for the excellent care they provided and reminding them how much they were appreciated. That was simply who Sue was.

If Sue could leave us with one final piece of advice, it would be to live life to the fullest. Enjoy that extra cup of coffee. Take a walk through your local MetroPark. Never pass up an opportunity to laugh out loud—even if it means hotel security gets called. Cheer enthusiastically at a sporting event or dance recital, especially when a family member is participating. Appreciate every animal you encounter—even the neighborhood raccoon. Watch Christmas movies all year long. Turn up Chicago just a little louder in the car. Save the spiders, even the big hairy ones. Remember that “Fiddlesticks” can be just as effective as a four-letter word. Offer words of encouragement to everyone you meet, because you never know who needs to hear them. Most importantly, make everyone feel welcome, because there is always room for one more at the table.

Our family extends our heartfelt gratitude to our relatives, friends, and the extraordinary doctors, nurses, and hospital staff, whose compassionate care, kindness, and support meant so much to Sue and to all of us.

Mass of Christian Burial 10:00 AM Friday, July 24, 2026 at St. Peter Catholic Church, 6161 Chambersburg Road.  Interment St. Kateri Preserve at Calvary Cemetery.  The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5-7 PM at Marker & Heller Funeral Home, Huber Heights Chapel, 5844 Old Troy Pike. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Brukner Nature Center, Dayton Right to Life or Dayton Children’s Hospital in Sue’s memory.