Susan Elizabeth (Holmen) Castello
Susan Elizabeth (Holmen) Castello , Age 61
Susan Elizabeth (Holmen) Castello, age 61, passed away on August 4, 2026. Born on December 8, 1964, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Susan grew up in Baraboo before making her home in Brown Deer, Wisconsin.
Susan was a devoted and loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, and loyal friend. She is survived by her beloved husband, Karl; her son, Cas; her beloved fur family, Raven ' Squirrel. TWO. and Lexie who brought her endless joy; her sister, Christine Quandt; her brothers, David (Criss) Holmen and Matthew (Liz) Holland; her nieces, McKenna Quandt, Anna Castello, and Aylin Castello; her nephew, Ellis Holland; her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Scott (Kristi) Castello; her special friends, Rachel, Marty, and Millie Badt; and many other treasured relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Norma Dutch and Gerald Holmen, and her brother, Jim Holmen.
Susan graduated from Baraboo High School in 1983 and attended the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater. She began her banking career at Valley Bank and remained through many organizational mergers before joining Metavante, later FIS, where she worked as a Conversion Analyst for approximately 35 years. She was respected for her intelligence, dedication, and professionalism, and she took great pride in the work she did throughout her career.
Those who knew Susan will remember her as someone who was exceptionally bright, warm, and genuinely caring. She had an outgoing personality and possessed the rare gift of making lasting friendships. Even when life became busy and time together was limited, reconnecting with friends felt effortless. They would laugh until they cried, reminisce about old memories, and create new ones together.
Susan found happiness in life's simple pleasures. She loved camping with friends, spending evenings gathered around a campfire, celebrating holidays with family, traveling to new places, and curling up with a good book. She also had an enormous love for animals, especially her four cherished cats, who were an important part of her family.
Susan had so much more life to live, so many adventures ahead, and so much love to share. She left this world far too soon, and her absence will be deeply felt by everyone who had the privilege of knowing and loving her. Her kindness, laughter, intelligence, and unwavering friendship will remain in the hearts of those she leaves behind.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to your local animal shelter or rescue organization, such as MADACC, the Wisconsin Humane Society, or the Sauk County Humane Society, in honor of Susan's lifelong love of animals.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home with Pastor Dan Gunderson officiating. Visitation will occur from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Inurnment will follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery.
Condolences
Mary James August 06, 2026
friend, co worker THIENSVILLE , Wisconsin
Karl and family, Susan and I go back to the Valley Bank days, then to M&I data, Metavante, and FIS. I worked with her for so long I don't really remember a time when she was not there. We were blessed to have her in our lives and blessed to have been able to call her our friend. She left us too soon. She will always leave a hole in our hearts. Her laugh was contagious; the smile was honest. She was so dedicated to FIS and to her clients. Karl you are and always will be the love of her life. You were what she was waiting for her whole life. She is our guardian angel taking care of us from above. Her memories will always be with us, and the love we have for her will never end. God bless you all. Love MJ
Melissa Hernandez August 06, 2026
Friend Queen Creek , Arizona
Karl and family, I am deeply sorry for your loss. My heart is breaking for your family. When I first joined FIS, back when it was still Metavante, Susan's cubicle was next to mine. She was one of the very first people who made me feel truly welcome, and her kindness left a lasting impression on me. Very quickly, she became not only a colleague but also a dear friend. Susan touched so many lives, and I will always be grateful for the warmth, friendship, and support she shared so generously. She had a way of making everyone feel included and special. I am keeping you all in my prayers and hoping that you find comfort in your memories of Susan and knowing how much she meant to so many of us. Love, Melissa
Xiomara Alves August 07, 2026
friend Easton , Connecticut
I had the blessing to have met Susan due to a project she was working on for the bank I work at. In the year that I knew her we developed a special relationship. She was incredibly smart, patient, caring and truly dedicated to her clients, her team, and her family. What I will miss the most is her contagious laugh and sense of humor. Susan always had a way of brightening the day. She showed us so much compassion and strength when we encountered difficult times ourselves. both professionally and personally. Please know she will be missed tremendously. May she Rest in Peace. Xio
Katrina August 07, 2026
Coworker Seminole , Florida
I did not know Susan very well or long being that I just started with FIS, but I could tell she was larger than life. She had a great personality and was warm and loving. My thoughts go out to all of her family and friends. I know she will be missed. Remember the good times when it gets overwhelming.
Patty Pedersen August 07, 2026
Business partner Jersey City , New Jersey
Although I was not working directly with Susan on the Provident Bank conversion project, I did have the opportunity to meet her in person. Such a lovely woman who will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to Suan's family and friends. May she Rest in Peace.
Michael ######## August 07, 2026
Classmate Prairie Du Sac , Wisconsin
Sorry too all.....Susan was an awesome person. I just knew her from school, and she didn't have a mean bone in her body. The only one from this planet. Our world lost and heaven gained. Rest in peace susan.
Shelly Mattacotti August 07, 2026
Friend, Co-Worker, Former Cat Sitter NEW BERLIN , Wisconsin
I honestly don't know the words. There really aren't any when someone like Susan is gone. Some of my favorite memories of Susan go way back. One year, I couldn't come up with anything for our group bake-off, so Susan gave me her Lemon Bundt Cake recipe. I ended up taking first place, and Susan took second, I think. To this day, I'm convinced the only reason I won was because I decorated it at the last minute with daisies I picked outside the office. I think she eventually forgave me. And I'll never forget driving to Madison through a blizzard to see Mamma Mia!, only to come out and find our car had been towed because we'd parked in a no-parking zone. Looking back, it sounds awful, but it was one of those days that ended up being so much fun because Susan somehow made everything more fun. During my divorce, Susan looked out for me. She invited me over to her house, included me in plans, and made sure I wasn't sitting home by myself. It may not have seemed like a big deal to her, but it meant a lot to me. Susan was warm, loving, and kind, but she was also real. She had opinions, things that annoyed her, and a great sense of humor. And she was always smiling. That's the Susan I will remember. My heart breaks for Karl, Chris, and everyone who loved her. She leaves a huge hole behind. I'm grateful she was my friend. Love Shelly
Bill Ecob August 11, 2026
Co-worker Palm Harbor , Florida
To Susan’s family- so sorry and shocked to hear of your loss. I met Susan as a Metavante/FIS client when I opened Jefferson Bank in Florida and she was assigned as the deposit project analyst. I immediately felt her warmth and genuine concern for the new banks and my success and she was instrumental in pulling off a new bank set up in less than 6 months. Once we were live, I made it a point to seek Susan out during my first client visit to Brown Deer and we solidified our friendship. I was thrilled to join FIS later in 2010 as a project manager and was able to work with Susan on various projects. She was always willing to help me, even when she was not the analyst assigned- I’ll always remember her great attitude, friendly smile, and warm, welcoming voice. I feel blessed having known her, she will be missed. My prayers are with you all. . .
Sherry August 12, 2026
Worked with Susan on a conversion Fair Lawn , New Jersey
My deepest condolences to the Castella Family. I spent months working with Susan at Valley National Bank on our conversion to IBS in October 2023. She was such a wonderful person and so so knowledgeable in her work. You should know that she loved her family so much as she talked about you in our data mapping/testing sessions. Great memories forever!
William Hall August 13, 2026
Colleague of Family member Elm Grove , Wisconsin
Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. I am so sorry, her memory will live on in many people. While I did not know her, she was clearly loved by many, and was a wonderful person. Prayers are with you! Sincerely, Bill Hall
CARISA CHRISTIAN August 14, 2026
Coworker Chantilly , Virginia
Sending my deepest condolences to your family. I had the honor of working with Susan back in 2010 when our bank converted to FIS. It was so good to hear her voice on other conversion calls throughout the years. She was smart, fun and loved her family. She will be deeply missed.