Susan Gay Sterling, age 73, entered into rest while surrounded by her children on September 8, 2025, at the Plaza West Regional Health Center in Topeka, Kan. She was born September 10, 1951, in Topeka, Kansas, to Frank and Mary Ann Pfister
Susan graduated from Clifton High School. Susan also went on to graduate from Cloud County Community College in Concordia, Kan.
She married Kale Sterling on Nov. 27, 1989, in Reno, Nev. He preceded her in death on April 8, 2015.
Susan was a member of the Concordia Wesleyan Church. She worked as a case manager at Pawnee Mental Health, retiring in 2016.
Susan enjoyed watching her kids wrestle, play ball, and horseback riding, going for walks, and tending to her vegetable garden. Most of all, she loved spending time with her loving grandchildren.
Susan is survived by her children: Tony Dong (Holly), Salina, Kan.; Jonathan Dong, Salina, Kan.; Christopher Dong (Rachel), Topeka, Kan.; Richard James, Salina, Kan.; Wesley James (Alicia), Minneapolis, Kan. and Jessica Anderson, Salina, Kan.; Shawn James (Christy), Niles, Kan.; Kim Winsett (Jason), Minneapolis, Kan. Siblings include: Phil Pfister, Anderson, SC; Arthur Jones, Salina, Kan.; Mary Doolin, Costa Mesa, Calif.; Katie Rall, Santa Cruz, Calif.; Lorne Rall, Ventura, Calif.; Brian Rall, Kapaa, Hawaii; Amelia Miller, Maui, Hawaii and Alicia Matter, San Jose, Calif. Brothers-in-laws, Bob Sterling (Sandy), Concordia and Jason Sterling, Riley, Kan. Sister-in-law, Rosalie Coash (Steve), Weeping Water, Neb. Grandchildren, Alyssa (Tyler), Allie, Danielle, Sadie, Ethan, Lydia, Haylie, Aden, Wyatt, Adeline, and Trace.
Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Mary Ann Pfister, and Dieter and Mary Ann Rall and brothers-in-law, David and Steve Sterling.
Cremation has taken place, and a memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, with Pastor Bob Burns officiating. Inurnment will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Concordia, following the memorial services. Memorial contributions may be given to Concordia Wesleyan Church in care of Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, P.O. Box 606, Concordia, KS 66901. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.
