Norman Suhr '49

Friday, May 1, 2026

Norman Suhr was born in Neligh, Nebraska on November 6, 1928 to parents Henry George Rudolph Suhr (deceased) and Helen Lillian Suhr, (nee Emde) (deceased).

He grew up on a family farm, with five siblings, Charlotte Suhr Steinke, Mildred Suhr Kinnan, Lorraine Suhr Jones, Marvin Suhr, and Elaine Suhr Varner, who have all predeceased him.

After finishing high school, Norman started his college education at St John's College in Winfield, Kansas where he met Mary Ruth Connelly (deceased). After he and Mary Ruth married, on December 28, 1948, the couple returned to Fremont, Nebraska so Norman could attend Midland Lutheran College and continue his education to become an ordained Lutheran minister. While attending Midland, Norman worked as a milkman and baker to support his wife and his new family, son Norman Henry Suhr II (deceased), and daughter Mary Victoria Mraz, (nee Suhr). Upon his ordination, Norman received his first parish assignment in Vernon, Nebraska where Norman and Mary Ruth had a third child, James Arthur Suhr who died at birth.

Norman served as a Lutheran minister in Nebraska, Texas, and Louisiana where he met his second wife, Genie M. Suhr, (nee Carpenter), and then decided to move back to Texas and become a high school teacher and start a gentlemen's farm in Kempner, Texas, until his retirement in 2005.

At the invitation of his daughter and son-in-law, Mary Victoria "Tori" and Michael Mraz he moved to their home in Boston Township, Ohio to be close to them, his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He has enjoyed time with his Grandchildren Heather Stask (Michael), April Stein (Adam), Tiffany Shaughnessy (Kyle), Brian Chiasson (Anne) and Jerry Curry (Tamara). One of his joys is the boisterous antics of his 14 great-grandchildren – (Samantha, Addison and Cooper Stask; Maxwell, Connor and Laila Stein; Declan and Nicolas Shaughnessy; Amelia, Vivian and Eliana Chiasson; and Elizabeth, Elliot, and Ethan Curry), who range in age from 2 to 20 years.

Norman taught himself to sew and learned quilt making. Over his time in Ohio, he has made over 500 quilts with the greatest number of those being lap quilts for young cancer patients going through chemotherapy. He has always been a quiet, thoughtful man, who offers his words of wisdom only when asked. He enjoyed reading, particularly works of US History. He had a very strong Faith in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Over the past 7 months, he has been under the weekly care of the wonderful caregivers of Reserve Care, formerly known as Hospice of the Western Reserve. He closed his eyes for the last time at their in-patient facility in Medina, Ohio on Monday, April 27. Over the course of those 7 months of care, he grew fond of his caregivers and we too were thoroughly taken by their kind, soothing manners and their virtuous patience. We are forever grateful for the care and dedication they exhibited to the comfort of Norman. We ask that, in lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions in Norman's name, are suggested to Reserve Care at www.reserve-care.org.

Friends may call at THE FERFOLIA FUNERAL HOME 356 W. AURORA RD (OHIO RTE 82) SAGAMORE HILLS where Funeral Services will be held to celebrate Norman's life on Saturday May 9, 2026 at 10 a.m. VISITATION FRIDAY MAY 8, 2026 FROM 4 P.M.UNTIL 8 P.M. Interment Markillie Cemetery Hudson, Ohio

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