Susan Ruth Elzen (nee McNeill)
Elzen, Susan Ruth (nee McNeill)
April 18, 1959 - March 29, 2024
It is with great sorrow the family of Susan Elzen announces her sudden passing on March 29, 2024.
Susan will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her dear family: husband of 41 years, Ben; daughters Marney (Simon Elzen-Hoskyn), Haley (Noel Ives), Abbey (Joshua Koehli), Emerey (Milan Djumic), pride and joy grandchildren; Amyas, Atticus and Adelphey Elzen-Hoskyn; Anders, Lotte and Karri Ives; Jasper, Fraser and Sullivan Koehli, and much anticipated baby Djumic due to arrive in August 2024.
Susan was predeceased by her parents, Patricia (nee Byers McNeill) Godard and Garth McNeill; her sibling Craig McNeill; and her grandparents, Orley Byers and Ruth (nee Reynolds) Byers.
Susan was born in Edmonton, Alberta, in 1959. Susan completed the dental assistant program at NAIT in 1981. She and Ben married in 1982 and raised their four daughters in Edmonton until relocating to Sturgeon County in 2000. Together they built two beautiful homes and filled them with family, friends, fun and food. Throughout her life summer weekends were spent at the family cabins at Lac La Nonne. Susan and Ben continued the lake legacy that her grandparents started by building a new cabin and garage, renovating and adding more and more spaces as their family continued to grow. Susan was a passionate traveller from winter vacations in Hawaii to exploring Europe, and major American cities. Susan loved live music, dancing, flower gardening and shopping. Susan will be cherished always for her humor, generosity, hospitality, and constant presence in the hearts of her family and friends.
A private family interment will happen graveside on Saturday, April 13, 2024. A Celebration of Life with family and friends will be held on Friday, April 19, 2024.
Memorial donations may be made to Myeloma Canada at www.myeloma.ca.
Dear Ben & Family,
We were so deeply saddened to hear of Susan’s passing and will keep the memory of when the six of us last got together before Christmas so fondly in our hearts. Please know that we are keeping all of you in our prayers.
Dee Dee & Milt Miller
Ben and family,
We have so many fond memories of Susan and fun family times. Our hearts ache for all of you.
Margaret and Hans Van Ginhoven
Our sincere condolences to you Ben and the family.
Rob & Dorothy Buwalda.
Dear Ben and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We offer our condolences to you and your family. May God surround you and yours with comfort and assurance.
Bruce and Maria
Dear Ben and your family,
We were so sorry to hear of Susan’s sudden passing. It must have been such a shock to you all! I remember all the wonderful times and laughs that we had together for so many years and we also enjoyed so many visits at the cabin together with our families. May the Lord bless you all with peace and comfort as you deal with her loss during this difficult time. Remembering a wonderful friendship. ❤
Glenda and Tom DeGraaf
We have been neighbors to Susan and Ben at the lake for close to 40 years and have been privileged to enjoy their friendship. We watched their girls grow into beautiful young women, wives, and mothers, all under the watchful eye of one of the most kind and caring women we have known. Her legacy will live on through her family and we will miss her immensely.
Our thought and prayers are with the family.
I am sorry to hear of Susan’s passing. Arlene and I send our condolences and prayers to you Ben and your family.
Dear Ben and Family:
We don’t have the right words to say. Our heart hurts for all of you. I will always remember her great sense of humor and laughter.
Rob and Shirley DenBraber
Dear Ben and family,
Our sincere condolences with Susan’s passing away. God’s peace to you.
Trudy and Harry Spaling
so sorry to hear of susans passing i send my condolances and prayers to you ben and family
Dear Elzen Family
Sending our deepest and heartfelt condolences for the loss of
Susan. She was a part of our exercise class and was endeared
by all. We have fond memories of our get togethers after class with
her and Emerey. She will be greatly missed by all of us.
May God Bless.
Your Friends @ Servus Place
We all have that one friend. Our best friend growing up. Susan and I met when we were both 8 years old, as our families were friends. Throughout our school years, we were inseparable; tying up the phone line for hours at a time, dancing, singing and traveling with the school choir, swimming lessons in our matching bathing suits, making up dance routines in each other’s basements, ill attempts to lighten our hair with vinegar in the sun, (don’t do it) endless summer days at our family’s lake cabins and of course there were the high school dances, parties, cruising, hanging out at A&W, dating and boyfriends. We even share the same choice in career as Dental Assistants. One day, I told Susan that I think she should meet this guy Ben. I think you’d really like him. And well, she did and the rest is history. We celebrated the milestones as our own families began to grow. Along the way, life became very busy or at least it seemed that way. Our updates became fewer and far between, however no matter the time passed, we could always pick up where we left off because Susan was that one friend, the forever kind.
For over 50 years, you have always been in my heart. I will miss you greatly, thank you my friend.
Sincerest condolences to Ben and your beautiful family
Dear Ben and Family,
We are in shock with this very sad news! Seriously through tears, we remember such an amazing lady who was a beautiful friend, and such an amazing Wife, Mom and Grandma. Memories of watching basketball as well as so much school fun, dancing at your cabin, and even hanging out for a few days in Maui, we will never forget! We can see her smile and hear her beautiful laugh! Our hearts hurt for you all, and we pray that the Lord blesses you all with a peace and strength that only He can give. Sending big hugs and prayers to you all!
Bertram and Donna Dost
Chelsea Gilbert and Chantelle Flim
Our sincere condolences with your loss. All the best to the family during this trying time.