Obituary of Rev. Susan Steiner

STEINER, Susan (nee: Clemmer) 

1947-2019

Susan Clemmer arrived on Earth on April 22, 1947 and departed peacefully on August 26, 2019. In childhood, she was nurtured by her parents Lester and Martha (Derstine) Clemmer and their extended families, and by the Mennonite community around Souderton, Pennsylvania.  Her niece and four nephews and their families--the children and grandchildren of her deceased brother Jim and sister-in-law Ethel --continued to inspire her.

A graduate of Goshen College in Indiana, Sue immigrated to Kitchener, Ontario in 1969 to marry Sam Steiner, a Vietnam era draft resister. She celebrated her 50th anniversary with her beloved life partner earlier this month.

Sue found the Mennonite community, the landscape, and the multi-cultural setting of southwestern Ontario a good place to call home. A graduate of Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Indiana, she was among the earlier Ontario Mennonite women in ministry. Ordained on Pentecost 1987, she served the congregations of St. Jacobs and Waterloo North as a pastor, and four other churches as an interim pastor.

In her retirement, Sue offered spiritual direction to church leaders as long as health permitted. Among her many volunteer commitments, she especially enjoyed writing a blog called A Nourished Spirit and co-leading a book club at Grand Valley Institution for Women. She was an active member of Rockway Mennonite Church, Kitchener.

Words were important to Sue. She authored numerous books, including a memoir, Flowing with the River. It was difficult to watch cancer decrease her ability to use them in her last weeks.

Sam thanks the Canadian health system, including the Cancer Centre at Grand River Hospital, Hospice Waterloo and Innisfree House for the excellent care given to Sue during the past 22 months.

Visitation will take place at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Sunday, September 1, 2019 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. A memorial service will be held at St. Jacobs Mennonite Church, 1310 King Street N., St. Jacobs on Monday, September 2, at 2:30 p.m. Reception to follow at the church. A private interment will take place at Detweiler Meetinghouse, Roseville at a later date.

As expressions of sympathy, donations to House of Friendship or Book Clubs for Inmates would be appreciated and may be arranged by contacting the funeral home at www.erbgood.com or 519-745-8445.