Susan A. “Sue” Fliess, 66, passed away at her home with her family and friends by her side on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, after a short courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Sue was born March 29, 1959, in Franklin, the daughter of the late Ralph and Patsy (Johnson) Bushey. She attended Franklin High School and graduated with the Class of 1977. Following high school, she attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she attained her nursing degree. Sue was employed at Zablocki VA Medical Center where she was a dedicated nurse for over 36 years. Sue spent her life caring for others through her nursing career, always placing the needs of others before her own. Her selflessness truly defined her.
Sue met the love of her life, Richard L. Fliess, at the VA Medical Center, a story they always loved to retell. It was love at first sight and they were united in marriage on May 30, 1987. Their marriage blessed them with their son, Brian.
Sue loved cooking, baking, gardening, and opening her home to all family and friends. Above all, her family was of utmost importance to her. She found no greater joy than attending all of Brian’s sporting events as a young boy. Their special mother-son bond is something they both cherished every day and will never be forgotten. Sue loved being part of the Catholic Central family, through all the involvement she had in that community it developed many lifelong friendships that she held dear to her heart. She especially cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren. Her weekly babysitting days included making puzzles, enjoying arts and crafts, and working on many “projects” together. Sue loved her grandchildren, and she will always live on in their hearts.
Survivors include the love of her life, Richard Fliess; beloved son, Brian (Sara) Fliess; and grandchildren, Mason, Timothy, and Grace, who were her pride and joy; She is further survived by her sisters and brothers-in-law, Patricia Kaminski, Joseph (Sandy) Fliess, Timothy Fliess, Irene (Michael) Rossi, Terrence Fliess, Lorraine Fliess, Ronald (Cathy Koessl) Fliess, and Christine (Ken Naujock) Bushey. Aunt Sue was deeply loved by her many nieces and nephews, including the youngest great-nephews and great-nieces, whose visits always brought her great joy. Sue was preceded in death by her in-laws, Joseph and Jean Fliess; brother, Michael Bushey; brothers-in-law, Lawrence Fliess and Richard Kaminski; sister-in-law, Catherine Fliess; and nephew, Peter Kaminski.
A memorial service for Susan A. Fliess is pending and will be announced at a later date.
Mickelson Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc. of Shawano is assisting the family with arrangements. Please share online condolences at www.mickelsonfs.com.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the staff and nurses at ThedaCare in Appleton and Shawano, as well as ThedaCare Hospice, for the kind and compassionate care Sue received.