Eleanor M (Ruff) Sausser

“How well he fell asleep,
like some proud river widening toward the sea;
calmly, grandly, silently and deep,
life joined eternity.”
                        — Samuel Taylor Coleridge


   Eleanor M. (Ruff) Sausser, 91, of Sandusky,  passed away peacefully late Thursday evening, December 1, 2016, at the Parkvue Health Care Center, Sandusky.
   She was born on October 18, 1925, in Sandusky, the daughter of Carl Joseph and Amelia Victoria (Weis) Ruff, who preceded her in death.  She graduated from Sandusky High School in 1943 and received her BA from Baldwin-Wallace College, in Berea, in 1946, M. Ed., in 1948, where she was active in golf and archery.  From 1946-1958 she taught for Sandusky City Schools.
   On June 9, 1951, she married Joseph C. Sausser, who preceded her in death in 1987.  Eleanor and her husband, Joe, owned and operated Sausser's Suburban Shop in Sandusky from 1956-1977, where she was secretary-treasurer.  Joe never liked to sit still so they traveled extensively throughout the country.  They enjoyed cruising Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair in a series of boats over the years.  A voracious reader, and a competitive Bridge player, you could find Eleanor enjoying both at almost any time.
   Eleanor loved the City of Sandusky and spent much of her life involved in various activities to make Sandusky a prosperous and a happy place to live.  She was a founding member of the Sandusky Zonta Club.  During her life, she was an active member of the College Women's Club, Ohio Retail Merchants Association, Women's Civic Club, the Old House Guild of Sandusky, Plum Brook Country Club and the Sandusky Yacht Club, where she managed the Ship's Store for many years.
   Growing up as a member of Grace Episcopal Church, where her mother was secretary, Eleanor was active in the choir, the altar guild and most recently the Thrift Shop, where she spent more than 15 years.  After her marriage she became a member of Trinity Methodist Church.
    Eleanor is survived by her only child, Joseph A. "Andy" (Amy) Sausser of Sandusky; three grandchildren, Addison Sausser, Adam Ferback, Alle Ferback; two sister-in-laws, Nancy (Sausser) Nichols and Frances "Fran" (Sausser) Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.
   At her request, no visitation will be held and cremation will take place.  Private family services will be held at a later date.
   In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in her name to Stein Hospice Service, Inc., 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870 or to the Maritime Museum of Sandusky, 125 Meigs Street, Sandusky, OH 44870.
   Arrangements are entrusted to the David F. Koch Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 520 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky.
   Your memories and words of comfort may be shared with Eleanor's family at davidfkoch.com.