Susan
M.
Berghoff
)Prowant
Obituary
Susan M. Prowant, 82, of Fort Wayne, IN passed away peacefully with family by her side on June 12, 2019. Born December 23, 1936 in Fort Wayne, she was the eldest child of Paul and Ethel (Jauch) Berghoff. Susan attended St. Mary's Catholic grade school and Central Catholic High School, graduating in 1954. She was a lifetime, card-carrying member of the Central Catholic alumni association. Graduating in 1957, Susan attended and made lifelong friends at the St Joseph School of Nursing. For the next 40 years, she was employed at the St. Joseph Hospital Labor and Delivery department, helping deliver and occasionally catching, babies and babies of babies. In addition to her role as a nurse, Susan also spent 24 years teaching soon-to-be parents what to expect during labor and delivery. Susan was a supporter of Allen County Right to Life. Susan was a dedicated member of the Our Lady of Good Hope choir and Northern Notes. As a member of The Northern Notes female vocal ensemble for over 40 years, Susan was always on the move, visiting and singing at hundreds of nursing homes. Additionally, Susan also assisted with choreography and costuming for the group, while also spending her time sorting and filing the music, and taking on the role of group historian. Susan spent her life in Fort Wayne and is proud of her Berghoff family history. She enjoyed reunions and catching up with friends and family at events. Susan loved her family and was instrumental in the Berghoff 100 Year Family Reunion held in Chicago at the Berghoff Restaurant. As the primary genealogist in the family and publisher of several genealogy books, Susan could tell you not just where you came from, but also "who" you came from in the long list of Berghoff ancestors. Susan was a member of the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana. Along with her husband Chuck, Susan was a collector of memorabilia, including Berghoff beer, Hoff Brau beer, Rub-No-More Soap, and other local family products. Despite having an autoimmune disease that damaged her liver, Susan lived life to the fullest. She enjoyed taking cross country trips with family, including visits to Branson and Disney World with her mother as well as trips with her grandchildren to New York. She also loved spending time with her grandchildren locally on weekend outings, going to the library, museums, festivals, and Indiana Beach. If her grandchildren were unavailable, you may find her packing nieces, nephews, and godchildren in her van for these trips. Shoutout to the "backseat buddies", Audra and Matt, and her adopted grandchild, Alyssa. She is survived by her children, Julie (Jerry) Yoder of Leo, IN, Pete (Denise) Prowant of Fort Wayne, IN, Amy Sue (Randy) Slentz of Leo, IN, and Andy Prowant (Grace Loudin) of Columbus, IN; grandchildren, Sarah (Brad) Spenn, Erin and Will Yoder, Nate and Elliot Muri, Kyle (Kelli Neumann), Karly (Kyler Hudson), and Kadie Slentz, and Jessica and Paige Prowant; sister Paula (Ernie) Martin of Hughsonville, NY; brothers, Mike (Jan) Berghoff of Columbia City, IN, and Herman (Patty) Berghoff of Fort Wayne, IN; sister-in-law Ruth Berghoff of Morgan Hill, CA; numerous godchildren, nieces, and nephews. Susan was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Charles (Chuck) F. Prowant, and her brother Tom A. Berghoff. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am on Monday, June 17, 2019 at Our Lady of Good Hope, 7215 St. Joe Rd with calling one hour prior. Immediately following the mass, a celebration of life will be held at Our Lady of Good Hope; all are invited to join us for food, drink, and reminiscing.Visitation will be Sunday, June 16,2019 from 4 pm to 7 pm, with rosary at 3:30 pm (public invited) at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Ave, Fort Wayne. Burial will be in Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne. Special thank you to Alice, the Canterbury nurses, Pastor LaRay, CNAs, QMAs, and housekeeping staff on 500 whose care, kindness, prayers, and songs were appreciated and loved by Susan and her family; additional thanks to the Premier Hospice team. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Francis Nursing Scholarship Fund or Allen County Right to Life.
Services
Condolences
When uploading images, please allow the images to fully transfer before submitting form. Image thumbnails will appear below the comment box.
Comment required for image uploads.
20 total images or 20Mb max.
My deepest condolences to the Prowant and Berghoff families. I will always have fond memories of Susan from the first time we met @ Ernie & Paula’s wedding in 1970 and during several of Susan’s visits to Hughsonville, New York. Susan was special. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
SUSAN WAS SUCH A KIND AND GENTLE LADY. SHE WAS A BLESSING TO ALL WHO KNEW HER. PRAYING FOR COMFORT AND PEACE FOR ALL OF THE FAMILY.
Susan will be missed by all who knew her. My wife, Mary Ginder, was a cousin who passed in 2017, and Susan was there for her as she always had been My condolences go out to the entire family. God’s speed Susan.
Pete, Julie, Amy and Andy….You and your families have my deepest sympathies at this difficult time. My friend Susan, will be greatly missed by so many of us. Thank you for all your efforts to make her final weeks as painless and peace-filled as possible. She is with your Dad now, smiling down on each of you, and challenging each of you to continue your lives in the fullness of all you were given. Rest In Peace my Dear Friend. Thank you for being a part of my life, and the lives of my children.
Dear Julie, Amy, Pete and Andy….. Dot and I are so sorry to have heard of your losing you mom. So many of my early family memories included Susie and Chuck. How blessed the Cochran family was too have had her in our lives. It goes without saying how much my mom loved her and all of us will miss her sweet voice and contagious smile and laughter. May god bless each of you, Joe and Dorothy Cochran
So sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. My dad and my brother passed last year. My heart goes out to you.
Pete: So sorry for your loss. Reading her obituary, she seemed like a compassionate, caring woman. Would love to have met her. My prayers are with you and your family.