Suzanne Flora Cravens

Suzanne Cravens, age 74, of Cottonwood and formerly of Pine Island, Minnesota, died on Monday, May 6, 2019, at the Prairie Home Hospice – McLaughlin House in Marshall, Minnesota. Memorial Services are 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall, Minnesota. A reception will follow. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, at the Hamilton Funeral Home.

Suzanne Flora Netherton was born on July 1, 1944, to Clyde and Harriet (Flora) Netherton, in Lafayette, Indiana. She grew up in a military household, moving often in her childhood. In 1962 she graduated High School in Lompoc, California. She went on to complete her bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

On June 22, 1966, Suzanne was united in marriage to Larry Cravens in Chalmers, Indiana. The couple made their home in West Lafayette for 11 years before moving to Pine Island, Minnesota, where they would spend the next 38 years. They raised four children: Carol, Caryn, David, and Dorothy. In 2015, Suzanne and Larry moved back to his family farm in rural Cottonwood.

Suzanne was a deeply devoted mother and full-time home maker. She enjoyed teaching in area schools as a substitute teacher, serving as a Sunday School teacher at Pine Island United Methodist Church, and enriching her community as a pianist, accompanist and piano teacher. She flourished as a retail saleswoman for 20 years at The Nordic Shop in Rochester, MN. She was a member of the Minnesota League of Poets, having published over 100 works including poems in the Rochester Post-Bulletin and Marshall Independent newspapers as well as farm & ranch Living(TM) magazine.

Suzanne was an avid creator and supporter of many artistic endeavors. She gathered inspiration from the beauty she saw and felt in everything, from the sound of the rain to the faces of her grandchildren, or the breathtaking scenery of her well-traveled life. Her joyful and supportive essence propelled countless projects including fundraising, independent book publishing, fashion shows, dance programs and music concerts. Her life's work involved traveling with her most cherished companion, the one she proudly referred to as her "hero," her husband, Larry. Together, they visited family and friends, taking beautiful pictures and collaborating on adventurous projects along the way.

Suzanne Cravens died on Monday, May 6, 2019. She reached the age of 74 years, 10 months, and 5 days. Blessed be her memory.

She is survived by loving husband of 52 years, Larry Cravens of rural Cottonwood; 4 children, Carol Rae (and Lonnie) Lamberson of Grand Forks, ND, Caryn (and Bob) Pron of Mullica Hill, NJ, David (and Emily) Cravens of Aliso Viejo, CA, Dorothy (and Ed) Johnson of Bloomington, MN; 11 grandchildren, James Lamberson, Patrick Lamberson, Susan Lamberson, Anthony Pron, Andrew Pron, Isabel Cravens, Jackson Cravens, Genevieve Cravens, Charlie Johnson, Max Johnson, Flora Johnson; brothers, David (and Diana) Netherton of Folsum, CA, Paul (and Nancy) Netherton of Orlando, FL; brother-in-law, Alan DeSerio of Concord, NC; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Clyde and Harriet Netherton, and sister, Jane DeSerio.

In lieu of flowers, memorial preferred to Prairie Home Hospice in Marshall.