Sadly, we share the news that Suzanne “Sue” Lynn Kuether, nee Higgins, 87, of Shiloh, IL, the heart of our family, took her last breath of earthly air on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at Highland (IL) Health Care Center. Joyfully, we celebrate that Sue is now reunited with her Lord, her parents, her brother, Richard, and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Penny and Rev. Ralph Kuether.
Sue will be greatly missed by her husband of 62 years, Rev. Gustav “Gus” H. Kuether; son, Scott (Sandy) Kuether of Glen Carbon; daughters, Lynda (Jen) Kuether of Carbondale, IL, and Lori (John) Schultz of Elgin, IL; as well as her brother, Hugh Higgins of Seattle, WA; and her grandchildren, Brittany, and Emily (Matt) Kuether, and Matthew (Alexa) William, and Zane Schultz; nephew, David (Anna Marie) Kuether; two nieces, Carol Lynn Jackson and Chris (Matt) McNamer; and cousins.
Born on July 27, 1937, in Adrian, MI, to Margaret (Kappler) and Howard Higgins, Suzanne’s arrival was as unique as her life. Delivered via cesarean section at Bixby Hospital, she was described as a healthy 8-pound, 21-inch baby with “gobs of dark hair” and blue eyes. A memorable family picnic at the time is where her Aunt Edna named her “Suzanne,” choosing the distinctive “Z” for its rarity and its connection to the Biblical figure Zacchaeus.
Sue’s early childhood was spent in Tecumseh, MI, until the death of her maternal grandmother when the family moved to her grandfather’s farm to care for him. It was there that Sue began her educational journey in a rural one-room schoolhouse. But before the end of first grade, the family moved “to town” where her aunt became her teacher. Sue’s schooling journey continued in Manchester, MI, where she graduated valedictorian from Manchester High School in 1955. A bright student and energetic participant in school activities, she played flute in the school band, served as treasurer of her sophomore and senior classes, and was a member of the student council and yearbook committee, and assisted her favorite math teacher with grading quizzes and tests. Her love of learning led her to Western Michigan University for one year then to Eastern Michigan University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business education in 1959.
Sue began her teaching career at Riverview (MI) High School where she taught typing and shorthand in the business education department for three years. It was during this time that she met her future husband, Gus Kuether. The two were engaged at Easter time in 1961, and married on August 4, 1962. Their love story spanned more than six decades.
Sue and Gus were commissioned as missionaries of the United Church Board for World Ministries (UCBWM) in June 1963, and served in San Pedro Sula, Honduras for fifteen years. In addition to raising three children, including tutoring them in English, Sue was the treasurer of the Education department overseeing the finances of a two million dollar a year primary and secondary school system. If that wasn’t enough, she also managed a five-bedroom guesthouse for missionaries and church workers of all denominations and faith persuasions, taught typing to the seminary students and English as a second language in the high school, and washed basketball uniforms after each varsity game. In 1974, she fed an average of 14 international volunteers three meals a day for more than three months after hurricane Fifi.
In more recent years, she learned data entry to process Sunday Bulletin orders for the UCC Stewardship Council. If your church used the UCC Bulletins in your services, it is probable that Sue managed your order quarterly. When that job was moved out of St. Louis, her business skills served her and the UCC Office of Church Life and Leadership well.
While living in Edwardsville, IL, she tended her 25 by 50-foot vegetable and berry garden with love and talked daily to her more than 25 named varieties of African violets in her indoor garden. Upon moving to Belleville (Shiloh, IL) her green thumb became busy tending day lilies, Stella de Oro, Hosta, bleeding heart, Lenten rose and Solomon Seal and turned to orchids in the indoor garden.
Sue’s deep faith and demeanor of kindness and caring started early at home and in her church community. Throughout her life, she remained steadfast in her faith and service to others, living out her confirmation verse, Colossians 3:17, “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father of him.”
You are invited to a Celebration of Life service to be held on Sunday afternoon, April 6, 2025, at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Belleville, IL. The family will be available at 2:00 p.m. to visit friends in the Heritage Hall and the service will begin at 3:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, bring your good and happy memories of Sue to be shared by all. Should you wish to make a memorial gift, it can be made to St. Paul UCC (115 W “B” Street, Belleville, IL – www.stpaulucc.org), Global Ministries UCC (1300 East 9th Street, Suite 1100, Cleveland, OH 44114) or the charity/mission of your choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Sue will be remembered as the lady with the smile for her warmth, intelligence, and commitment to making the world a better place, and leaving a lasting legacy of love, and faith.
