Sue Huber

Susan Jane (Sue) Huber, 72, of Stanley, KS departed for Heaven surrounded by her loved ones at 4:41 am on Tuesday, November 13. Born Susan Jane Vajen in Napoleon, Ohio on February 26, 1946 to the late Margaret Ann (Franz) and Robert John Vajen, she was the first of seven children.

Her legacy of love with her husband George was made official on December 20, 1964, but truly began four years earlier on the night of her youngest sister’s birth when she and George were able to sneak out for their first date. While she and George had four children, many others considered her a mother also. Sue fiercely loved her husband of nearly 54 years, always responding to “I love you” with “I love you more” even with her last breaths. Coupled with “I’m so proud of each and every one of you,” her final remarks describe her selfless spirit throughout her life perfectly.

A loving wife, mother and friend, Sue was a remarkable cook and shared her gift of hospitality with countless family, friends and neighbors.  She and George often took over running the Idle Hour, the Vajen family restaurant, when the family went on vacation. Always sharing gifts of her Christmas-time snack mix or coveted homemade Chex mix, Sue’s favorite was making special snacks for her grandchildren, secretly knowing that was the best way to get them to piano lessons. She cherished big family gatherings and would spend weeks preparing for the special occasions.

One of Sue’s many passions was her music. From a young age, she enjoyed accompanying choirs on the piano, even the Ohio Youth Choir. For many years while her children were growing up, she led the children’s and youth choirs and hand bell groups at church. She would frequently be the accompanist at her children’s school performances as well. She was at her best when teaching, and earned a Bachelors degree in Education to further her passion of sharing her love of music.  She taught and shared her knowledge and love of piano with hundreds of students over the years. Sue was always excited to support the variety of performances at the Erickson Center in Curtis, Michigan including Music in the Park, Follywood, and her beloved Evening of Piano. Sue loved music, whether hymns at church, a live event or the frequent guest pianist performances in the lobby of the Mayo Clinic where she found comfort between appointments, she relished it all.

Sue made friends wherever she went with her grace, kindness and personality.  While it was difficult to leave her family in Ohio, she quickly made Stanley, Kansas a home when they moved for George’s work in 1978.  Later, she again utilized these talents to help George grow the Trimble Navigation’s agriculture business as their Event Coordinator. This provided her the perfect opportunity to combine two of her loves: working side-by-side with her husband and taking care of others at the same time. 

She was always thinking of others! She delighted in supporting mission work, volunteering for the church, schools, Meals on Wheels and many more organizations, as well as being a member of PEO, allowing her to support other women. Sue shared her gifts and talents with others and always encouraged those around her to do the same.

She loved spending time in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan watching the sunsets and wildlife with George and visiting with family and friends. She loved nothing more then when her family visited them “Up North.” She could be found preparing delicious meals, giving endless golf cart rides or playing countless card and board games with her grandchildren. She delighted in the view of her family enjoying long, sun-filled summer days filled with water sports, good food and camaraderie.

Sue is survived by her husband, George Edwin Huber, four children and 11 grandchildren: Geoffrey Sean, his wife Stefani, and their sons Hunter, Nathan and Skyler; Wendell Grant, his wife Ashley and their son Drew; Troy Robert, his wife Megan, and their children George, Grace, Gabby, and Gavin; and Heidi Renee, her husband Mike Pickens, and their sons Dixon, Henry and Harris. With family and friends too numerous to list, countless others will mourn her passing.

Celebrations for Sue’s Life will include a visitation from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 23 and a service at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 24. Both events will take place at Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, 13300 Kenneth Road, Leawood, KS 66209.  Sue loved colors, so feel free to honor her memory in purple (her favorite color) or any other color of the rainbow.  She also enjoyed basic black, so please know that whatever you are comfortable in is perfect. Sue would just be happy you were there to support George. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to Cornerstone Presbyterian Church or Erickson Center for the Arts in Curtis, MI.  P. O. Box 255,  N9224 Saw-Wa-Quato Street,  Curtis, MI 49820.  (906) 586-9974.  http://www.ericksoncenter.org.

Our family wishes to thank all of the friends and family who have shared their thoughts and prayers with Sue and the rest of the family over the past months, as well as the doctors, nurses and staff at The Mayo Clinic for their excellent care.

Sue was a warrior for Jesus. She knew both who and whose she was.  But even as Christians, we cannot escape life’s sorrows- but we can temper our grief with the knowledge that Christ is risen – for He is our hope – and Sue is with Him now!

Wherever there is music, laughter and beauty on God’s Earth, we will know she is there.