Cathleen Alice Suess, “Kate” to her friends and family, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023.
She was born Jan. 31, 1929, to the parents, Walter Emil Giesing and Pearl Agnes (Townley) Giesing in Chamois. She was the youngest of four sisters, and always told us she was a little spoiled, never having to eat the vegetables her sisters had to eat. A trait she never grew out of, never being a great lover of vegetables. However, she is remembered by her family for the many delicious meals she cooked, especially her fried chicken and chocolate chip cookies.
She graduated from Chamois High School where she met her husband Harry. They were united in marriage Oct. 11, 1947.
Kate moved to St. Louis for a brief time after high school to work until she moved back to Chamois to get married. She also worked for a short time for Oberman’s Garment Factory in Chamois before she married. Kate spent the next 53 years with her husband on the farm in Deer Creek and in Chamois until his death Aug. 19, 2000. She was a homemaker for all of her married life but worked for several years as a cook at Chamois High School until her retirement.
Kate was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother (grammy). Anyone who met her knew her to be a sweet and kind woman. She would always greet you with a smile and made you feel welcome in her home. Anyone who knew Kate also knew that come spring, the Cardinals better be televised. She always had a favorite player and would let us know if he did well (got a homerun) in the game the day before. And she was not happy when they didn’t make the playoffs.
Kate loved to piece together and quilt many very beautiful quilts. Her attention to detail, color, and patterns was beautiful. She donated many of these to church and gifted many to family.
Kate and Harry had many good times playing cards and dominoes with their friends in retirement. In their earlier years, they enjoyed camping, fishing, dancing, and golfing. She also enjoyed bowling with her friends in a league. The staff at Chamois High School always knew the “walking ladies” would be there four to five times a week walking their laps at the gym before their morning coffee. After illness forced Kate to quit sewing and quilting, she began to put together puzzles.
Kate was a member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Chamois, always helping with dinners and any activities that was asked of her. She was a member of their quilting group and helped produce many amazing quilts for the auctions at the church picnics. Kate volunteered at the Chamois Elementary school reading to the younger grades.
She was preceded in death by husband of 53 years, Harry; parents, Walter and Pearl; son, Daniel; sisters, Alverda Wehrsten and husband Pete, Ruth Theissen and husband Buck, Betty Ellis and husband Ernie; sister-in-law Ruth (Suess) Gentile and husband Ben; nephew, Glen Wehrsten; and niece Lisa Ellis Whitmire.
Kate is survived by sons, Douglas Suess and wife Nancy of McKinney, Texas and Ted Suess and wife Marla of Wardsville; grandchildren, Chris Gussie and husband Will and Tom Suess, all of McKinney, Texas, Jason and Diana Suess, Andy Suess and friend Stephanie Valenzuela, all of Jefferson City, Janet Prenger and husband Keith of Toas and Jessica Suess and friend Jonathon Imhoff of Wardsville; great-grandchildren, Lillian, Abigail and Dean Gussie, all of McKinney, Texas, Leah and Macy Prenger of Taos and Wyatt Suess of Wardsville; and daughter-in-law, Sharon Suess; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, Dec.16, at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Chamois with Fr. David Means officiating. Inurnment was held at the Deer Creek Cemetery.
Memorial contributions suggested to Deer Creek Cemetery Fund or the American Heart Association.
Arrangements entrusted to Morton Chapel in Chamois.
