Susan Frederick Barwick is the twin sister of Kristen Frederick LePalm, born the second of the two. As with all the Frederick children, Susan grew up on the family farm outside of Glennie. She attended elementary school at Barton City Elementary School, and then attended Alcona High School where she graduated near the top of her class in 1970.

Following high school Susan initially attended the University of Iowa where she studied for three years. In her senior year she transferred to Eastern Michigan University where she graduated in 1974 with a degree in Occupational Therapy. Susan would spend the next 30 years working as an Occupational Therapist, mainly in Illinois and Indiana.

Susan is married to Michael Barwick, and they have three children - Tara, Corey, and Anthony; and one grandchild - Treyton. Susan now lives at the Frederick homestead outside of Glennie in the original house John T. Frederick built in the early 1930s.