Susanna Dorothes Villard
Jan 6, 1929 -
Sep 7, 2026
Our fighter, our survivor, our beyond-resilient Sue is finally at peace and has joined the love of her life in heaven.
On Monday, Sept. 7, 2026, Susanne Dorothea Villard passed away at home in Anchorage, Alaska, surrounded by family and friends. She was 97 years old.
Sue was born on Jan. 6, 1929, in what was then Konigsberg, East Prussia, to Anna and Ernst Kohn. At the age of 14, Sue and her family fled their dairy farm during a Russian raid in the midst of World War II. After fleeing, they were transported through Dachau Concentration Camp and eventually placed in a refugee camp in Denmark, where they spent several years during the war.
The family was eventually relocated to the small Bavarian town of Bad Aibling, Germany. Bad Aibling became a new foundation and home for Sue and her family. To this day, many of Sue's cousins, grandchildren and great-grandchildren still live there.
It was there that Sue met Raymond Villard, a U.S. Airman, at the train station, where Raymond fell in love with Sue at first sight. Sue spoke no English, and Raymond spoke no German, but that didn't stop them from falling in love and marrying on Sept. 1, 1955.
Once married, they began a new adventure together, building a family and traveling around the world, including South Africa, Italy, Iran, and many other places. They eventually settled and put down roots in Anchorage, where they opened a bowling and screen-printing business, Rayville Sports Marketing. Their business became a pillar of Alaska's sports community and was perhaps best known for screen-printing jerseys for the Alaska Aces.
Through that community, Sue was also able to fulfill her passion for sewing and knitting. She loved creating her own clothes, as well as clothing for her children and grandchildren. In recent years, Sue seemed unable to stop knitting hats, day and night. Every time family or friends visited, they always seemed to walk away with a new hat to keep their head warm.
Sue lived her life to the fullest, unfiltered and confident in the authenticity of who she was.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Villard; daughter, Lilly Wunizger; son, Raymond Villard Jr.; grandson, Jaren Villard; and many siblings.
She is survived by her daughter, Michelle Villard-Meyer and husband, Al; grandchildren, Susie, Jasmine, Amy, Riley, Jonathan, Lily'Anne, AJ, Olivia and Christian; and eight great-grandchildren.
Services will be open to the public on Sept. 20, 2026, from 1-3 p.m., at Evergreen Memorial Chapel, 737 E Street in Anchorage. A Zoom link will be provided for family and friends who are unable to attend in person.
Flowers and cards may be sent to the Meyer family at 105 W. 5th Ave., Anchorage, AK 99501.
In Sue's first language, we part by saying:
Auf Wiedersehen. Die Sonne scheint immer.
Until we meet again. The sun always shines.
