Sue Ellen Van Velzen-Doctor

Sue Ellen Van Velzen- Doctor, age 45, of Atlanta, formerly of Sioux Center, Iowa, passed away and was called to Heaven suddenly on June 22nd, 2012 at the family residence in Paris, France. A service of remembrance will be held on Saturday, July 7th, at 10:30AM., at Dunwoody United Methodist Church. The Rev. David Melton will officiate. Friends are cordially invited to visit with the family Friday evening from five until seven o’clock at H. M. Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd., NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Sue Ellen was born on July 3rd, 1966 in Sioux Center, Iowa. Her birthday was always celebrated with fireworks and sparklers. Sue Ellen was the daughter of proud parents Cornelius “Case” and Carol (Zwagerman) Van Velzen. She attended Sioux Center Christian School in Sioux Center, Iowa and Unity Christian High School in Orange City, Iowa. Sue Ellen also attended Dordt College in Sioux Center and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Teaching Degree with an Art Minor on the May 7th, 1988. On May 14th, 1988, Sue Ellen married David Rene’ Doctor at the First Christian Reformed Church in Sioux Center Iowa. They enjoyed being together, growing together, laughing together, loving together, and were strong together. Sue Ellen and David first lived in Sioux City, Iowa where she taught art in the Sioux City elementary school system. During their time living in Sioux City, they renovated one home and built three homes, two of which are in the Dakota Dunes Country Club. Sue Ellen also consulted on Interior Decorating and Design for many of the Gateway executive homes built by Wagner, Peterson, Schultzen in the late 1990’s. Career moves brought them to Des Moines, Iowa in 1999 where Sue Ellen renovated a 1933 Tudorian home. In 2001, the couple moved with their three young children moved to Atlanta. As much as she loved her husband, teaching, art, design, and travel, Sue Ellen was made to be a mother. In 1996, Sue Ellen’s first daughter, Cosette Anne, was born, followed by Caroline Aubrey in 1999 and Cornelius Jared in 2001. Being a mother and devoting all for her children was her life, her passion. Sue Ellen enjoyed traveling; the family spent much time traveling in the United States and abroad. Since 2006, the family has been alternating school years in Paris, France. The time in Paris has enabled their children to learn French, be immersed in culture, gain a better understanding of the world, and their place in it as young Christians. While in France, Sue Ellen started a company, Francetastic, Inc., and pursued several other business interests. Sue Ellen lived her life to the fullest, always positive and smiling. There will always be emptiness in our hearts with her passing, however, we find comfort in our faith and knowledge that her precious wonderful sweet soul is now is in the loving arms of our faithful Savior Jesus Christ. Survivors include her loving husband, David; precious children, Cosette, Caroline, and Cornelius Doctor; mother, Carol Van Velzen; sisters, Dawn (Kevin) Groeneweg of Golden, Colorado, and Laura Lee Blake of Atlanta; nieces and nephews, Taylor Groeneweg, Connor Groeneweg, Jeffrey Blake, and Vandela Blake. She is also survived by David’s family with her mother-in-law, Aukje “Audrey” (Pruiksma) Doctor of Lynden, Washington; sister-in-law, Ingrid Doctor of Bellingham WA; as well as two brothers-in-law, Ronald Doctor of Bellingham WA and Peter Doctor of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Sue Ellen was preceded in passing by her beloved father, Cornelius Van Velzen, grandparents, William and Susan Van Velzen, as well as grandparents, Peter and Angeline Zwagerman. Memorial Contributions may be made in Sue Ellen’s Memory to Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, 2850 Kalamazoo Ave, SE, Grand Rapids MI 49560, 1-800-552-7972.