Susanne K. Pedretti

Susanne K. Pedretti, age 77, passed away with peace and gentleness on February 21, 2022, at the Eagle Crest South Senior Living Community in La Crosse, WI, with her husband, Mark A. Cleghorn, by her side.  Susanne was born to Joseph D. and Lucy M. (Malin) Pedretti in 1945 and was raised on their family farm in Genoa, WI, with her three sisters and five brothers. Sue took great pride in the Pedretti and Malin families.  In 2004, Sue and Mark traveled to Italy and Switzerland to the birthplaces of her Pedretti family great grandparents.  Sue created a comprehensive family tree and photographic history of the Pedretti family.

Sue attended St. Charles grade school in Genoa and graduated from La Crosse Aquinas High School, as Salutatorian of her class, in 1963.  She graduated magna cum laude from Viterbo College in 1967.  In 1970, Sue obtained a Master’s degree in English at Ohio State University and stayed on as a lecturer.  She then worked in Columbus, Ohio as a high school teacher and as an Assistant Editor on a monthly magazine.  She returned to Ohio State University and received a Master’s degree in Social Work in 1976, then worked as an outpatient therapist in Columbus through 1986.

On August 27, 1986, Sue married Mark A. Cleghorn and they made their home together in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Sue continued working as a therapist and Mark continued his career with The Cincinnati Symphony.  They traveled to many places together around the United States and the world which included musical tours with the Symphony.  Together they created volumes of photographs of their travels with a special interest in capturing the beauty of nature, especially flowers. Sue also enjoyed renovating their brick Tudor home in Cincinnati and enhancing the beautiful yard and hillside.

Sue and Mark retired and moved to La Crosse, WI, in 2013, enjoying time in the area with friends and family.  Due to Sue’s great love of her teachers at Aquinas and Viterbo, she reconnected with the Sisters at St. Rose Convent.  Mark enjoyed playing music at services with the Sisters as well as playing with musicians throughout La Crosse.  In 2020, Sue and Mark moved to the Eagle Crest South Senior Living Community.

Survivors include her husband, Mark A. Cleghorn and her siblings; David (Brenda) Pedretti, Mary Lou (Andrew) Lee, Fred (Linda) Pedretti, Timothy (Jessie) Pedretti, Roy (Rayanne) Pedretti, Charlotte (Paul) Van Vreede, and Nicholas (Ann) Pedretti. Sue is also survived by Mark’s daughters Cassandra Cleghorn, Angela Bolan, and Alicia Hensen; and Mark’s sister, Marcia Kretis; as well as her many nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends. Susanne’s parents and sister, Patricia (Patt) Hansen and Patt’s husband, David C. Hansen, preceded her in death, but Sue always felt their presence and that angels would carry her to be together with them.

Her family and friends will remember her for her kindness, gentleness and compassion. A service of celebration of her life will be held in the future at a time when friends and family can attend.  Interment will be at St. Charles cemetery in Genoa, WI.

The family would like to thank the staff at Eagle Crest South Senior Living Community and at Mayo Clinic and Hospice for their compassion and care of Susanne.