Sue Pauli

Sue Pauli, 68, of Sioux Falls, SD, and formerly of Milbank, SD, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2026, at Ava's House in Sioux Falls. 

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home Chapel in Milbank, SD. Visitation with family present, will be begin one hour prior to the service and inurnment will be at St. Lawrence Cemetery in Milbank, SD.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Sue Anne (Prendergast) Pauli was born to Harry and Dorothy (Angerhofer) Prendergast on September 23, 1957, in Volga, SD. Sue will be remembered for her compassion, sense of humor, sharp wit, and extraordinary ability to maintain a positive attitude throughout tremendous adversity.

Growing up in Volga, she graduated from Sioux Valley High School in 1975. After high school, she attended South Dakota State University for a time before returning to settle in Milbank, SD.

Sue was a valued employee at Milbank Mutual Insurance Company for many years.

She married Martin Pauli in 1990, and seven years later, they welcomed their only daughter, Shauna.

Sue was a community volunteer and worked various other jobs to support her family while Shauna was young. She served as Sunday school superintendent at American Lutheran Church. She also cleaned houses with young Shauna in tow.

Later, she found her calling working for the Milbank School District as a substitute teacher and paraprofessional. Sue eventually entered her favorite role: librarian at Milbank High School. This was the perfect job title for a woman who loved visiting with students and who was truly a lifelong reader. She was so proud to order a diverse and relevant range of books for students. In all of her jobs, Sue maintained a diligent work ethic and let her friendly personality shine through always saying, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” She truly loved what she did during her time with the Milbank School District.

Undoubtedly, Sue’s most rewarding title was “mother.” She sacrificed immensely to ensure her daughter was cared for and never wanted for anything. Sue loved Shauna more than anything else in the world.

Sue’s life changed forever on July 10, 2022. Unique and unfortunate health complications caused her to lose the use of her legs, confining her to a bed and wheelchair for the rest of her life. She was forced to retire from the job she loved and leave the community she called home. Sue moved to Sioux Falls, where she lived in the enhanced assisted living wing at Dow Rummel Village. She quickly became a beloved member of the community there. Though she became friends with other residents, her absence will be felt even more profoundly by the staff. Her apartment became a welcoming and safe place for staff members to visit and receive both advice and sarcasm. Sue loved playing bingo, completing the New York Times Wordle every day, and petting the therapy dogs (and her daughter’s dog, Ozzy). She loved watching Food Network, HGTV, and TLC, learning, long conversations, and, especially, laughing. Sue remained a voracious reader until the end of her days.

Sue died in hospice at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, SD, on July 20, 2026, at the age of 68 after four years of courage and perseverance. She was the most wonderful mother, sister, aunt, godmother, and friend.

She is survived by her daughter, Shauna Pauli, of Faulkton, SD; her brother, Terry (Sue) Prendergast, of Sioux Falls, SD; her nephews: Chris (Ashley Blake) Prendergast and Steven Prendergast, both of Sioux Falls, SD; and a grandniece and grandnephew. Sue is preceded in death by her parents: Harry and Dorothy Prendergast.

The loss of her presence here on earth is colossal. We will continue to love her in the way that she loved her daughter: "always and forever, no matter what".

Any memorial gifts may be designated to Ava’s House at Sanford Hospital. The family would like to thank the staff at Ava’s House for their compassionate care.

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