SuzAnn Breen

suzann breen

SuzAnn Mathilda (Stricherz) Breen, 78, Hillsboro, ND, passed away Monday, November 3, 2014 at Sanford Hillsboro Nursing Home, Hillsboro surrounded by her family under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

SuzAnn was born October 24, 1936 in Watertown, South Dakota to Joe B. and Louise (Fox) Stricherz. She attended grades 1-9 at Immaculate Conception Catholic School, Watertown, SD, and grades 10-12 at Mount Marty Catholic High School, Yankton, SD. She graduated from Nursing School at Presentation College, Aberdeen, SD.

She worked at Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee as a Registered Nurse where she met and began dating Donald J Breen in January of 1959. She married Donald J. Breen on June 6, 1959 in Watertown SD and they lived in Milwaukee until 1961 when Don began a 2 year tour of duty in the Air Force at KI Sawyer Air Force Base in Upper Michigan.

In 1963 they moved to Hillsboro where Donald joined in medical practice and they lived together until his death in 1989.  SuzAnn continued to make Hillsboro her home until the time of her death.

She was a lifelong Catholic and member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Hillsboro, ND, where she taught religious education classes for 3rd grade children for several decades.  Sue was a member of the parish council at St. Rose of Lima and a longtime member of the altar society- serving previously as the president.  She loved her faith and greatly enjoyed taking theology classes.

She served for many years as a volunteer and then as a member of the board of directors for the Red River Valley Hospice.

Sue’s greatest joy was spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She also loved to share her joy and candy treats with all the children in the neighborhood.  She was beloved in the community and known to all as “Grandma Sue”.

She is survived by her sons, Paul (Michelle) Fargo, ND; Pat (Brenda) Fargo, ND; Chuck (Meghan) Hillsboro, ND; Mike (Echo) Fergus Falls, MN; Casey (Angie) Otsego, MN; daughters, Vickie (Lynn) Feist, Pierre, SD; Julie (Jon) Larson, Detroit Lakes, MN; Katie (Mike) Smith, Fargo, ND, 27 Grandchildren, 4 Great-Grandchildren, sisters: Phyllis (David) Jacobson, Watertown, SD and Sally (Gary) Gramm, Brookings, SD.

She was preceded in death by husband Donald J. Breen, parents Joe B & Louise (Fox) Stricherz, brother Douglas Stricherz.

Memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley and/or Sanford Hillsboro Medical Center.

SuzAnn’s family wishes to thank Sanford Hillsboro Nursing Home and Hospice of the Red River Valley for their loving care of their mother.

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  1. Dear Katie and Mike and family, We are thinking of you and sharing your grief. Knowing you Katie is all we need to know to understand what a special lady your mom was. May all the beautiful memories you have be a comfort to you now. With love, Donna and Dave

  2. Rochert MN
    Oh Suz – your photo shows me that you were as beautiful outside as I knew you to be inside. We never met but we were friends and spoke often when I worked in business in Fargo. (Caring for your brother as I recall). And you were unable to attend our book event for Hospice of the Red River Valley in Hillsboro years ago – another non-meeting. Rest in peace dear, sweet, Suz.

    Sincerely,
    Mare

  3. Jax FlMy heart goes out to Mrs. Breen children and grandchildren. I did not know her but I do know the pain that is felt when you loose your mother to death. It is very obvious that your mother was an amazingly loving and caring person and was loved my many. May you draw strength from God who sees your pain and invite you come to him in prayer so he can comfort you … Jeremiah 29:12.

  4. Extending sympathy to the Breen family. Sue was such a loving rock to the Hospice of the Red River Valley, at a time we were all struggling. She loved her extended family, of the community, and it showed. I feel Blessed to have knowen her,also as a friend. Blessings to all the family. Barbara Thompson/Hansen.

  5. Our prayers and deepest sympathies for Sue and her beautiful family.
    We often think of Sue and Sam whenever we see a Breen in Fargo and will now miss them both.

  6. Hillsboro ND
    Ken and I would like to extend our sincere sympathy to the Breen family. Sue will be missed by all, she has touched so many lives! Many a child will not forget Grandma Sue as their religious education teacher. Not only her faith did she share with the children, but her love and compassion for each child. Grandma Grace always remembered Sue as her angel on earth, being with at a near death moment in 1985. May she rest in Peace! Ken and Cecilia Cotton

  7. Sarasota FloridaMy thoughts and prayers go out to all of the family and friends who are celebrating the wonderful life of Sue Breen. I know she will be SO missed, and may you all feel blessed for having had her in your lives. God speed.

  8. Watertown SDDear sisters to SuzAnn,
    Just know that my thoughts and sympathy are with you in the loss of your sister SuzAnn. I remember her long, thick blonde hair when she was living at home on 6th Street SE in Watertown. We, as young neighborhood kids, looked up to her as we watched her skirts twirl and fancy neck scarves. Reading her life history was amazing. She was a blessing to so many! Carolyn
    HER GOOD WORKS LIVE ON IN YOU!

  9. Midland TXSo sorry to hear of the loss of Mrs. Breen. She was a wonderful lady and will be missed by all. Condolences to all of the family.

  10. Hillsboro North Dakota
    Sue took care of so many of us around the community. She would fuss and make sure we felt cared for when we went to state tournaments. I don’t know how she did it but she kept track of people around town and especially us former athletes and always had a conversation with us whenever we’d see her. You can see her love alive in her familyand how that love is spreading to each generation. God Bless Sue’s family and remember that she is always with you through her love.

  11. Reynolds ND
    What a shock it was to see Sue’s photo in the obituaries. She was always such a warm, wonderful person, so friendly, a quick wit, always engaging. Please accept my condolences. I’ll keep your family in my prayers.

  12. Prior Lake MN
    MY SINCERE SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY OF SUZANN BREEN ON THE LOSS OF YOUR MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER. I CHERISH GREAT MEMORIES OF MY VISITS WITH HER IN THE PAST. MAY SHE REST IN THE PEACE OF THE RISEN LORD…MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS FOR AND OF YOU ALL.

  13. Hillsboro Sending my deepest sympathies to Chuck, Meghan and the rest of the Breen Family. Take comfort in the fact that Grandma Sue did, in fact, touch all of our lives. In all of my interactions with her, including the first!, she was kind, gracious, and always, always funny.
    The last time I talked to her I was with Ray at HMC. She was taking a walk and asked me to break her out. When I told her Ray wouldn’t let me she looked at him, then back at me, smiled, and said, “I’ll take care of him!”
    Try to smile, you know she’s speeding and running stop signs in Heaven. ~)

  14. Fargo North Dakota
    Dear Paul & Michelle & Family

    We were sorry to read of the passing of your mother and want to extend our sincere sympathies. Having served on the Hospice board for several years, I knew your mom and of her dedication to Hospice of the RRV.

    You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We know she is at peace with her Lord and rejoined with her beloved Don in eternity. God bless!

  15. St Cloud Minnesota
    Sending all our love to the Breen family. You had a wonderful mom and she was a great friend to Brian and myself. She did always call Brian Bones. We shared grand children and always enjoyed all the family gatherings for birthday’s and time at the lake. She will be missed by many friends and family. I will miss not having her with us when we go for grand parent’s day in St. Michael’s school. Love you Sue, The Marek’s

  16. Council Bluffs IowaSo sorry for the loss of your mom! She was such a beautiful woman inside and out. Both your parents were such pillars of strength for the Hillsboro community. You must be so proud even at this difficult time! Our prayers and love go out to you.

  17. Fergus Falls Mike, Echo and family – Our thoughts and prayers are with you on the loss of your mother and grandmother.

  18. Lake Park MN
    So sorry for your loss… What a wonderful lady.. She gave joy to my life and because of her good actions when my mother Grace collapsed at church, she gave my family many more years with our mother..Rest in peace Sue!!

  19. We were very sorry to hear of Grandma Sue’s passing! please know that all of the Been Family are in our thoughts and prayers! I am Angie’s aunt

  20. Jamestown ND
    What a wonderful example of faith Sue has always been to me. May she rest in the arms of Jesus. I will miss her smiling presence at all the family events!!


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