Susan Alvira Montzka

Susan “Sue” Montzka June 8, 1932 – June 28, 2016       Susan “Sue” Montzka, age 84 of both Osage, Minnesota and Alamo, Texas passed away June 28, 2016 in San Juan, Texas after an extended illness.  Sue was born on June 8, 1932 in Burtrum, Minnesota to Howard & Ethel (Covel) Hendrickson.  She was a graduate of Grey Eagle High School and went on to attend Mankato State University studying elementary education.  She married Harold Lloyd Montzka on June 5, 1953 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  She began working for Northwestern Bell as both a long distance telephone operator and in the business office in Minneapolis and St. Cloud.  As her and Harold began their family, she discontinued working outside of her home so that she could focus on taking care of her family as a homemaker.  Her husband’s teaching career took them to several communities, but most of their married life was spent in Hibbing, St. Cloud, and Osage, Minnesota as well as the winters and eventually retirement to Alamo, Texas.  She was always very active with youth, serving as Youth Group Leaders in their church, teaching Sunday school and serving as the Sunday School Superintendent, along with teaching bible study and being active in the Christian Women’s Group always willing to help out where she was needed in church activities.  She enjoyed camping, snowmobiling, water skiing, reading, crocheting, ceramics and shopping.  She was always willing to bake for her family and will be remembered fondly for the wonderful cookies she baked.  She was an avid baseball fan and always enjoyed watching her grandchildren’s sporting events and spending as much time as she could with her grandchildren and her great grandchildren.    Those left to cherish her memory are her husband of 63 years, Harold L. Montzka, her daughter, Diane Lenander (David) of Akeley, MN and her son, Erik Montzka (Deborah) of Park Rapids, MN along with her nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren and a half brother, Frank Mack (Joanne) of Mountain Home, Idaho.  She was preceded in death by her parents, and her daughter and son-in-law, Zita and Tom Kendall.   Funeral services will be held at 1:30 PM Monday July 11, 2016 at Grace Community Church in Osage, with burial following in Osage Riverside Cemetery.  Visitation will be held 2-6 PM Sunday July 10, 2016 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids.  For more information or to view the tribute, please visit jonespearson.com.