Suzanne Luepke

Suzanne Luepke, 77, of Polson, MT died peacefully and on her own terms on June 23, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on February 26, 1934 to Louis and Rosemary (Colletti) Luepke, Suzanne grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. At the age of 17 she entered the convent, earning a bachelor's degree in education from the Sisters of Loretto Academy. As a nun, she taught second grade in St. Louis. After 17 years, she left the convent and went to work for the Peabody Coal Company in St. Louis, in the risk management area. While working there, she met Richard Menke and they embarked on a life together, taking ski vacations and travelling all over the country to jazz festivals. The couple retired in their early 60s and moved to Estes Park, Colorado. Suzanne fell in love with the invigorating Rocky Mountain outdoors, taking up backpacking and hiking at the age of 64. She also enjoyed tennis and travel adventures. With a group of women friends, she went to France and journeyed 110 miles down a canal in a rented houseboat ' to the Mediterranean Sea. In 2003 the couple moved to Polson, where Suzanne opened her home and her heart to many. She served as head of the Lake County Democratic Central Committee, was involved in state and national politics, and shook hands with President Barack Obama. She was a member of The Progressive Democrats of America. She also belonged to Women in Black, standing for peace every Monday. She kept a close eye on the Polson City Council, helped increase local recycling efforts, volunteered at 'Soup's On,' and supported PFLAG (Parents, Families, & Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and the Green Party. She was an inspiring activist who was not afraid to cross party lines. Suzanne was a careful listener who had reverence for the earth and respect for people. To her it was just as important to shake the hand of a homeless person as it was to shake the President's. She talked to everybody and took many under her wing as she worked tirelessly toward change. In Polson, Suzanne continued her love affair with the outdoors, joining a local hiking group. She adored Glacier National Park, backpacking there, in Zion National Park, and in the Mission Mountains. She hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up five times. She also took a 14-day float trip through the Grand Canyon. Suzanne liked entertaining, baking, working out, walking, camping, kayaking, drumming in the Great Scots bagpipe band, downhill skiing at Blacktail Ski Area, playing harmonica, sailing, and photography. She was a generous soul who kept giving even in death, donating her body to science. She will be deeply missed. Preceding Suzanne in death were her parents and her sister, Mary Lou Birrell. She is survived by soul mate and partner Richard Menke of Polson, sister Jill Colley of Owensville, Missouri, brother Louis R. Luepke (Margaret) of Canyon City, Colorado, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. The family would like to thank the Lake County Hospice staff for their professionalism, dedication, and concern in caring for Suzanne and Richard. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society or to Soup's On in Polson. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Polson with Rev. John Payne officiating. Condolences may be sent the family on-line at www.groganfuneralhome.com.
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