Obituary of Susan Aletha Ward

Susan Aletha (Ost) Ward Susan A Ward, 66, of Duluth died on Friday, December 12 at Solvay Hospice House after a lengthy battle with breast cancer. Sue was born January 18, 1948 to Corwin and Allie Ost of Duluth. She graduated from Duluth East High School in 1966 and from the University of Minnesota, Duluth in 1970. She married Robert (Bob) Ward in 1970 and shortly after went to work for Saint Mary’s Hospital as a bacteriologist. Sue and Bob purchased National Equipment Company in 1971 and Lindor-Ward Piano and Organ Company in 1986. Early in their career Sue taught employees how to service audio-visual equipment and sold audio-visual equipment. Sue quickly took over the role of bookkeeper for the family business which eventually prompted her to go back to school for an accounting degree. In 1996 she began working as an accountant for the State of Minnesota. Sue was an avid reader and an active member of Lakeside Presbyterian Church serving as an elder and Sunday school teacher. Before she became ill, Sue was a docent (volunteer) at the Lake Superior Zoo and she especially enjoyed taking animals into schools. Sue also volunteered to do taxes for low income people in Duluth. She had a passion for helping young people understand budgeting and finances. Sue enthusiastically enjoyed traveling and camping with her family and collies. Sue was preceded in death by her parents Corwin A and Allie A (Flinn) Ost and brother-in-law Bruce Ward. Sue is survived by her husband Robert W Ward, daughter Cindy Ward-Thompson and husband Joe Thompson, grandson Corwin J. Thompson, sister and brother-in-law Sal and Fred Comer, mother-in-law Beryle Ward, and many friends. Visitation will be Monday, December 15 from noon to 1:00 PM at Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Duluth followed by a memorial service at 1:00 PM. Memorial donations may be made to Lakeside Presbyterian Church or Children’s Hospital of Minneapolis.