Susan Kay Shellberg (Hotzler)

Susan Kay Shellberg (Hotzler) age 60, of Plymouth, Minnesota died by suicide on July 16th 2024 after a long and persistent struggle with mental illness. She is preceded in death by her mother Mary Krull and her son Daniel Antrim, and is survived by her father Gene Krull, husband Jeff, son Ryan (Sandra), brothers Mark, Scott (Manny), Chris (Jeri) and many other relatives.

 Susan came into this world at Swedish Hospital in Minneapolis on September 26, 1963. She attended schools throughout the Midwest as her family relocated for work. She was an avid saver, a devoted big sister, and a dedicated student. She attended Iowa State University, where she obtained her degree in Accounting and Finance and met her husband, Jeff. Susan settled where she was born and completed her MBA at the University of Minnesota before having her two sons, Daniel and Ryan. 

 Susan found an abundance of joy in life through music, art, and community. She was a lifelong learner who was always reading, listening to new podcasts, and growing through her connections with others. Susan was extremely devoted to the care and rescue of animals. She fostered kittens for years, volunteered at animal shelters and a pet food shelf, and saved her own dog (Ladybug) from a puppy mill. Unmatched by all was Susan’s appreciation for nature. In 2021, she took a solo van trip across the country where she explored many national parks as a tribute to her son Daniel. Locally, she put in years of dedicated work to maintaining and improving the green space behind her church. 

 In addition to her individual passions, Susan was an active member of many communities. She helped form a book club with other mothers she met through Early Childhood Family Education classes. Susan was brilliant with numbers and used her accounting skills and financial savvy for the betterment of several nonprofits and religious organizations, including many years of work for her own congregation. Susan was a caring wife, mother, sister, and daughter. Throughout her own mother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s, Susan spent nearly every day with her. She also maintained close connections to her entire extended family, particularly her nieces and nephews, by whom she will be dearly missed. 

 Susan struggled courageously with her mental health for most of her life. She threw herself into therapy, exercise, community, traditional and nontraditional medical support, and countless other forms of self-care. Her home was filled with notes of positive affirmation—powerful signs of her commitment to life. However, the loss of her son, mother, dog, and ability to foster kittens compounded Susan’s suffering. Still, she still fought until the very end, and that strength is deeply admired by her surviving family. 

 Susan wrote these words after her son Daniel died by suicide and they were included in his obituary. They give us comfort today when remembering Susan. “Though we miss him each day, we try to find meaning and joy in remembering him. God, give strength to those that mourn Daniel and may he never be forgotten.”

 There will be a visitation for Susan at Gearty Delmore Funeral Chapels in Plymouth from 4:00-7:00 pm on July 25th, followed by a celebration of life on the 26th at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth with a visitation at 10:00 am, service at 11:00 am, and lunch at 12:00 pm. There will be a private burial afterwards at Rutherford Cemetery in Stillwater MN, where Susan will be laid to rest next to her son, Daniel. 

Donations in Susan’s honor can be made to Best Friends Animal Society, the National Alliance for Mental Illness, and Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church of Plymouth for the maintenance of her green space and addition of a memorial bench next to Daniel’s.

To live stream the service, please go to facebook.com then moplychurch ( On Mt. Olivet's FB page, please scroll down to 'live video'). This link below will be available prior to start of service. 

Mount Olivet Church Facebook Page    ( On Mt. Olivet's FB page, please scroll down to 'live video')