Susan K. Suits' Obituary
Susan Kay Kalbfleisch Suits died from cancer at The Poppen Hospice Residence of Harbor Hospice on Monday, January 6, 2025, at the age of 71. Sue was born on Wednesday, July 22, 1953, at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon, MI, to Leonard and Hattie “Susie” (Yell) Kalbfleisch Sr.
Susan graduated from Ravenna High School in 1971. She worked various factory and administrative assistant positions until she started her own nail business at the age of 40, retiring as a certified nail tech when she turned 65.
On September 13, 1986, she married Victor Suits in Spring Lake. Vic preceded Sue in death on January 10, 2009. Together they rescued cats and either placed them in good homes or adopted them as part of their feline family.
She offered Christine Anton Colburn a seat next to her on the school bus on their first day of kindergarten, starting a friendship that spanned 66 years. Susan was a creative woman, sewing her own prom dresses, and doing the same for her sister, Kandy. Sue baked and decorated cakes with meticulous precision for several special occasions, and she decked out her house for every minor and major holiday so her nail clients could enjoy a festive experience during their appointments with her. She also enjoyed snow skiing and playing golf.
Susan is survived by her mother, Susie Kalbfleisch of Sullivan Township; two siblings: Leonard Kalbfleisch Jr. of Kentwood and Kandy Kalbfleisch (Matt) Lazell of Novi; brother in-law, Scott Suits Sr; nieces and nephews, Jaclyn Kalbfleisch, nephews, Scott (Diane) Suits Jr, Shawn (Beth) Suits, and Steven (Autumn) Suits; and a stepdaughter Nicole (Jim) Klempel. The Suits family also gave Sue the title of great aunt and great-great aunt. Susan will also be missed by dozens of cousins and uncles from the Kalbfleisch and Yell families as well as her very special aunts Beverly, Ellie and Sally.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vic; father, Leonard Sr; parents in-law, Marguerite and Earl Suits Sr; sister in-law, Helen Suits; brother in-law Earl Suits Jr; and many rescued cats.
A MEMORIAL SERVICE will be held for Susan at 3:00 PM on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI, 49444, with VISITATION taking place an hour prior starting at 2:00 PM. A time of refreshments will follow the memorial service. A private interment will take place at a later date at Spring Lake Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to a no-kill animal shelter of your choice or to St. Thomas Catholic Church in Muskegon.
What’s your fondest memory of Susan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Susan?
Share a story where Susan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Susan you’ll never forget.
How did Susan make you smile?

