Suzanne R. Nelsen

Born in St. Paul Minn., to Robert and Chrystle Luening, moved to Portland, and graduated Roosevelt High 1955. Married Richard Nelsen. Survived by Son David Nelsen, Daughter Laurie Hatch, Son-in-law Kurt Hatch, Grandchildren Alex Nelsen, Charles and Andrew Hatch and Sister-in-Law Penny (Amundson) Luening. Predeceased by husband Richard and brother James Luening. Join us for a memorial service Feb. 22nd at 11am at Bethany Lutheran Church, 4330 NE 37th Portland. Reception and lunch following.

Suzanne Nelsen was an amazing mother, wife and friend to so many people. She will be most remembered for her generosity and the over whelming love she had for her family and friends.

Sue was the daughter of Chrystle and Robert Luening who gave Sue a wonderful childhood along with her brother Jim. The family moved from Minnesota to Portland when Sue was 3. She attended Portsmouth and George Grade Schools and graduated Roosevelt high school in 1955. Sue studied at University of Oregon and left there to go to secretarially school. Sue worked as a secretary for Seagram Distillers for 7 years and also worked for Levitt NuPacific, Ben Franklin and Ticor Title Co.

Sue’s number one job was wife to husband Rich, and mother to son Dave and daughter Laurie. Sue supported Rich’s job as a Fire Fighter celebrating many Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at the Fire Station when he was on duty, and bowling on the Fireman’s bowling league with many of their good friends. Sue could be found most summer days cheering her son Dave on as he played baseball at Wilshire Park and spent many weekends helping with Laurie’s Camp Fire girls group. As Laurie’s friends would always say to Laurie “Your mom is fun”, she plays on the beach, inner tubes down the snow and dances with us. Sue continued to support her grandchildren in the same way, traveling to Boise to watch Alex play baseball and football, cheering at Charlie’s baseball games and Andrew’s football games and attending Charlie and Andrew’s Boys Scout courts of honor.

Sue knew it was important to have her family grow up in the church. She attended Peace Lutheran church as a girl and was married to Rich in that church. Upon settling in this neighborhood she joined Bethany Lutheran. Sue participated in church attending Sunday services and evening folk services, making crafts and goodies for the church bazaars, teaching Sunday school and helping with church dinners. Both Dave and Laurie were confirmed here, the children sang in the Choir, attended Sunday and vacation bible schools and later Laurie married Kurt Hatch here at Bethany.

Sue felt it very important to celebrate all of life’s events. Birthdays, holidays, good report cards, baseball games, and anything other event that needed recognition was a reason for a dinner out, a party, or a weekend away. She particularly enjoyed Christmas and Thanksgiving with her brother Jim and sister-in-law Penny.

Sue loved to travel and experience new things. She and Rich enjoyed trips to Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, many states across the US and eventually to Europe. She loved to plan family vacations to Disneyland, Hawaii, New York, Washington DC, Canada and even enjoyed the family camping & fishing trips Rich loved so much, as long as she had her books to read in camp. She loved weekend excursions with family and friends to the beach, Reno and anywhere else that sounded interesting. If Sue discovered something new to experience she was ready for the adventure.

Along with her family, Sue’s friends were so important to her. She stayed in close contact with friends from her childhood and Roosevelt High school. She often mentioned how lucky she was to have such good friends. I couldn’t mention each and every friend she loved so much, and I would hate to leave anyone out, but you know who you are.

I Am Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free

I’m following the path God laid for me

I took his hand when I heard Him call,

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to live, to work, or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way,

I found that peace at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow.

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I’ve savored much,

Good friends, good times,

A loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me.

God wanted me now, He set me free.