Susan B Lagerman

Susan Lareine Marie Borden Lagerman lived a life defined by fierce devotion, boundless curiosity, and an enduring desire to leave every person and every corner of the world better than she found it. She passed away suddenly and peacefully in her sleep at one of her favorite places on earth, surrounded by the ocean air in Balboa, California.

Born on August 13, 1952, in Saint Paul, Minnesota to Joseph and Mary Ann Borden, Susan was the second of seven children. From the beginning, she loved her family fiercely, never hesitating to step up, step in, or help out. Her sharp mind and diligence shone early. Her senior year of high school she won a CBS scholar quiz competition, which sent her to Europe for six weeks, and set the stage for a lifetime of adventure.

While attending Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, Susan worked in the campus bookstore, catching the eye of an international student from Sweden named Lars Olof Lagerman. Lars suddenly developed a daily need for school supplies. His transparent excuses to see her worked: they married on December 23, 1972, at the ages of 20 and 23. Though they often joked they had married "much too young", a warning playfully given to their daughters, theirs was an enduring, remarkable partnership that spanned over five decades.

Their life together began with trademark humor and adventure: a honeymoon in Memphis and Graceland with Lars’ best friend, Happe, in tow. From there, Susan and Lars spent years working for travel agencies and hotels, exploring the globe. Susan was a linguistic savant, effortlessly picking up the local tongue wherever she landed, in addition to being fluent in Swedish and Spanish.

After returning to the United States to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer, Susan convinced Lars that they should take on law school together. At the University of Arizona, they scraped by with true grit, sharing textbooks and brewing ketchup soup. But Susan thrived. She dove headfirst into student life, forging friendships that lasted the rest of her life, and proudly serving as the ‘tallest’ member of her intramural basketball team (that happened to have a strict 5’3” height limit).

Driven by an unwavering moral compass, Susan dedicated her legal career to public service. She worked for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office specializing in consumer protection, served with the Volunteer Lawyers Program, and later fulfilled a lifelong dream of taking on cases as a judge. Wherever there was an opportunity to protect others and advocate for fairness, Susan stepped forward. Later, she even earned her real estate license, largely so she could look out for and guide her children and friends. Whatever she set her mind to she tackled with tireless, generous enthusiasm.

Above all her accomplishments, Susan was an extraordinary and devoted mother to her two daughters, Ellen Anne and Sarah Sofia. Despite demanding work, board positions, and volunteer schedules, she enthusiastically added "softball coach," "Girl Scout leader," and "class trip chaperone" to her resume. She was the master architect of "Family Fun Days," gatherings, and celebrations. A natural, joyful hostess whose personal motto was always "the more the merrier," Susan made sure every room was full of laughter, warmth, and good company.

In 2006, when faced with an ovarian cancer diagnosis, Susan met it with the same indomitable spirit, relentless energy, and fierce optimism that defined everything she did. She fought hard and emerged with an even greater thirst for life and a deep passion for the outdoors. Susan became an avid hiker, falling in love with the desert landscape and eventually serving as Board President of the Arizona Trail Association, a mission that brought her immense pride.

Her later years were filled with world travels alongside Lars, hikes with friends, lunch dates and gatherings, cherished time outdoors, and endless love for the many family dogs she proudly spoiled. In 2025, she earned her favorite title yet: Mormor, with the birth of her granddaughter, Sofia, born to Sarah and her husband, John.

Susan was a bright, generous light whose heart was as expansive as the trails she loved. She leaves behind a legacy of selfless service, fearless adventure, and profound devotion to family and friends.

There is not a single person who knew her that was not forever changed by her warmth and enthusiasm. She will be remembered always for her boundless energy, infectious laughter, and a heart so massive that pieces of it will continue to live on in everyone she touched forever.

A memorial and celebration of Susan’s life will occur but be held sometime in the future and information on that will be shared in advance.