Juanita Suchy

Juanita May McWilliams Suchy

January 26, 1927 – November 14, 2021

Preceded in death by mother, Emma E. Dexter; father, Charles M. McWilliams; husband of 32 years, Walter C. Suchy; sister, Susie McWilliams Greul; son, James P. Suchy “Jim”; grandson, Charles C. Suchy “Chip”; granddaughter, Vanessa C. Gravink Gibb.

Survived by children, Charles M. (Sue) Suchy, Dona E. (Doug) Suchy Gravink, William “Bill” D. Suchy, Richard A. Suchy; twelve grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren.

Mom was born in Osceola, Iowa and grew up in the Davis City, Iowa area. She attended Lamoni High School.

She was known by her family and friends as “Harty.” Mom and her sister Susie were also known as the “Palomino Girls,” as those were the breed of horses they raised and showed at state and county fairs. Mom was knon to be the flag girl and a barrel racer.

Mom first met our dad when still in school as a pen pal during World War II. Mom and Dad were married on June 17, 1946, and they first lived in the Frogtown area of St. Paul. Ten years later, they settled in Little Canada on a parcel of property that once was a beet farm. Dad worked for Standard Stone for many years until he started his own excavating company. Mom got a job at St. Joe’s hospital in the nursery and delivery department, and worked as an aid from 1964 to 1996.While working at St. Joe’s, Mom was in attendance at the birth of children in the neighborhood, along with some of her own grandchildren.

Besides the love for her own family and their different sense of humor, Mom unofficially adopted many of her children’s friends as her own. Mom was well known for feeding those who walked through her door. Cookies and banana bread were just a few of the things usually on hand. Just ask a family member or relative if Mom had ever made a cake for them, and you would hear a story.

Mom’s love of animals went far beyond the horses she grew up with. Mom LOVED animals. One especially comes to mind – a miniature pinscher runt of the litter by the name of Reno. He was dropped off by two of her grandchildren to puppysit in 2010. It was soon known this was going to be a long-term puppy sitting job. Once in the house, Reno picked the spot to sit right next to Mom in her LazyBoy. Reno became not only her companion, but her personal guard dog. Even family members needed Reno’s OK to hug Mom, and see his fury. We know he is waiting on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge for his favorite person.

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE will be held from 12-4pm on Sunday, May 22, 2022 at Spooner Park in Little Canada. For more information, contact Rich by text or phone: 651-238-3701 or email: sue1chee65@gmail.com