Suzanne Kime

On Tuesday, May 3, 2022, Suzanne Kime, passed away peacefully at the age of 88, at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks with family by her side. 

Sue was born on June 10, 1933, to Ruth and John Kime in Springfield, Ohio. Later, she was adopted by her mother’s second husband, Lawrence VanBuskirk. After high school, Sue enlisted in the Navy (Waves) where she trained and served as a dental technician during the Korean War. Upon her honorable discharge from the Navy, Sue worked as a dental technician in the private sector for many years and then later, for the Ohio Job Service. In 1954, she had her daughter and love of her life, Rosie Black. 

In 1977 she moved to North Dakota to be near Rosie and her son-in-law, Ted, with their children, Angela, Samuel, Wyatt, Kirby and Isaac. In Grand Forks, she began her career with Job Service North Dakota until her retirement in 1997. Through the years she served many programs at job service and was most proud of her work with Veterans.  She was passionate about her service and affiliation to the American Legion, Post #6, the American Legion Auxiliary Unit #6, the Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary #2, VFW Auxiliary and many other veteran and mankind service groups. Her friends through her various service groups and Calvary Lutheran Church were a very important part of her life and uplifted her. 

Sue was a trailblazer in her leadership and service. She was appointed by three N.D. governors to the Administrative Committee on Veteran Affairs and in 1995 to the White House Conference for Veteran Affairs. She also served as the first female elected State of North Dakota Department Commander of the American Legion in 1995-96. She, along with her daughter, modeled lifelong service and leadership for the good of all. 

She loved her family with every fiber of her being and will be remembered for her never-ending support and enthusiasm for all of their activities, including Rosie’s political elections, Ted and Rosie building a house, various trips, sports competitions, dance recitals, music recitals, SPA musicals, graduations, weddings, babies and anything else she could attend, help with, or provide support. She was a devoted grandmother to all five of her grandchildren and adored her 11 great-grandchildren. 

She is survived by her grandchildren, Angela (Korey) Black Erickson, Wyatt Black, Sam (Christina) Black, Kirby (Jake) Vossler, and Isaac (Carly) Black and her great grandchildren Ruby and Roselyn Erickson; James Black; Levi, Ezra, Roman, and Ivy Black; Kellen, Malachi, and Idella Vossler; and Teddie Kate Black; and nieces and nephews. 

Special thanks from the family to her good friend Diane Kramer, nephew Rick VanBuskirk, the Valley Square 4000 staff, Valley Transition Unit, Altru Hospital, the American Legion, and Calvary Lutheran Church for their assistance and support. 

Memorials can be sent to Calvary Lutheran Church, 1405 South 9th Street, Grand Forks, ND, 58201, the American Legion Post #6, P.O. Box 5692, Grand Forks, ND 58201, or the American Legion Auxiliary, 2466 Estabrook Road, Grand Forks, ND 58201. 

Suzanne’s Celebration of Life and Memorial Service will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 27, 2022.