Susan Kay Foltz

Susan Kay Foltz, age 62, of Mt. Carroll, passed away Sunday, February 8, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Mt. Carroll United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church.

Susan was born December 17, 1963, the daughter of Everett and Carolyn (Knapp) Appel. Raised on the family farm outside of Thomson, Illinois, Susan internalized the value of hard work and the importance of family. She found her greatest passion through music, developing remarkable talents with the flute, piano, and organ, a gift that would become a cornerstone of her life and a blessing to her community. Her musical legacy lives on in the many notes she played as an organist, first for the Savanna Methodist Church and for many years at the Mt. Carroll United Methodist Church. Parishioners will long remember the way she made the pipe organ truly "sing," especially during the holiday seasons.

A proud graduate of the Thomson High School Class of 1982, Susan briefly attended college before returning to Carroll County. While working at Mount Carroll National Bank, she met the love of her life, Gary Foltz. The two were united in marriage on September 6, 1986, and spent nearly 40 years building a beautiful life and family in a home outside of Mt. Carroll. Susan and Gary had a unique love, one of companionship and sincerity. Even when apart, they never let a day go by without talking, not out of obligation but out of genuine interest.

Susan’s professional life was marked by her compassion and commitment. For over 20 years, she served in various roles as an Accounts Receivable Specialist, Medicaid Specialist, and most recently Admissions Manager at the Good Samaritan Society (now Allure). She was a fierce advocate for the residents, often working long hours to ensure that they and their families were well cared for. Her coworkers were more than colleagues; many became lifelong friends.

Susan’s world revolved around the relationships she cherished. She found immense joy in new experiences, from big adventures in England with her son to frequent trips with her dear friends Tammy and Katy, she was always eager to embrace whatever life had to offer. At the center of everything was her family. Susan was a vibrant, supportive mother who never missed a sporting event or a milestone. She was truly invested in her kids' success, even in adulthood. She was known for her long phone calls with her dad and daily check-ins with her kids, never wanting to miss a story. As a grandmother, she took great joy in watching her grandkids grow, finding the most pleasure when their antics reminded her of her daughter. Susan loved her grandkids, building lasting memories with them as often as she could.

Susan will be dearly missed by her husband, Gary Foltz of Mt. Carroll; her two children, Whitney (Sarah) Domres of Verona, WI, and Timothy (Ben Kirk) Foltz of Oak Park, IL; two grandchildren, Kamden and Braelyn Domres; her father, Everett Appel of Thomson; and her siblings, LeAnne (Kent) Langholz of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Aaron (Melinda) Appel of Thomson. She was preceded in death by her mother, Carolyn Appel.