Susan Louise Raber (nee Kramer) was called to live in the house of the Lord forever on November 5, 2024! She was born on January 31, 1946, in Moline, IL, the third child of Norman and Dorothy Kramer. Sue lived in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Tennessee. She graduated from Valparaiso University with a BS in Elementary Education teaching in Indiana and Michigan. She grew up in the church and believed the gospel of Jesus Christ, so she died in peace looking forward to eternity and being reunited with all her loved ones.
She was married to Rev. David Estes who preceded her in death. She loved children and taught second grade in Kouts, IN. She taught Kindergarten in Ann Arbor, Michigan, loving to teach the children with puppets and fun games. She also was a substitute teacher for many years while raising Becky and Philip. She sang soprano in church choirs and as a soloist for many weddings. She organized and led a monthly activity for an Adult Foster Care Home in Michigan. She worked for Welfare to Work in Tennessee, and then followed in her dad’s footsteps : Sales. She loved meeting with people, working in Direct Sales (Party Lite and Premier Designs Jewelry) and finally facilitating clients with Health Insurance in Indiana. She didn’t think of herself as a salesperson but listened to her clients to see what their needs were. She was good on the phone and clients would say she sure didn’t sound like a salesperson. The Lord brought Larry Raber to her as her husband later in life when she moved to Valparaiso in 1999. They spent 23 years together. They loved the blended families and all the children, grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren! She often said how blessed she was with so much family to love and have fun with. She sang to them at bedtime, played badminton, board games, had sleepovers, and she and Larry made water balloons games to name a few. They were fun grandparents. She loved to decorate for holidays and she and Larry hosted New Year’s Eve parties complete with games and funny prizes she’d buy at garage sales – she loved going to garage sales.
Sue was preceded in death by her parents, many aunts and uncles and cousins, and her beloved sister-in-law, Roxanne. Sue is survived by her children: Becky (Dan) Wilburn of Valparaiso, Dr. Philip Estes of Prosper, TX, stepdaughters: Sue (Craig) Henry of Cicero, IN, Barbara (David) Newman of Atlanta, GA. Grandchildren: Rachel Wilburn, Jackson Wilburn, Nathan Estes, Madeline Estes, Lucas, Maxwell & Jason McCleary. Sarah (Chris) Fields, Emily Henry. Savanah (Josh) Kimberlin, and Katie Newman. Great-grandchildren: Robbie Fields and Zoe & Abigail Kimberlin. Sue wants her funeral to be a joyous occasion, praising God for all His blessings in her life.
A visitation will be held Monday, November 11th at Living Hope Community Church, 1115 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso from 11 am – 1 pm with funeral service beginning at 1:00pm, Pastor Rich Schmidt officiating and burial to follow at Graceland Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Living Hope Community Church. With Christmas coming, it was also Sue’s wish for you to bring a toy for Becky to give to families in need, as Sue loved children so much.
GUESTBOOK
How I will miss you. You’re beautiful inside and out. And our friendship has meant so much to me. You will always have a place in my heart. -Candy Taylor
Your Mom was so neat and had the gift of hospitality. Every year she’d invite all of us to New years Eve parties and we’d play Mexican Train dominos. We’d eventually stay and watch New York drop the ball as we aged. She was the best hostess and she actually is the reason my kitchen is decorated with cows because of a cookie jar she gave me from a garage sale find! Most of my jewelry is from her parties also. I know she was a jewel and was waiting to be on call to have a transplant which wasn’t in the plan, but wanted to be there for her because of her wonderful personality. Beautiful inside and out. She is in heaven and will see her again!!! -Julie Polizotto
Our families have been connected by fate for sometime. Through our grandchildren, we will always be family. Sue will forever be a fond memory. As I am sure Nate and Maddy, will strongly hold her highly in their hearts. I am so sorry Becky and Phil for her passing. You think you have time to be with each other, but in reality life is too short. Our love to all your family. -Sharon de St. Aubin and family
