Agnes Ruth Suess

Agnes Ruth Suess, 91, passed away on Sept. 20, 2014 at the Cheney Care Center. Private family graveside services will be held at a later date and Agnes will be laid to rest next to her husband, Otto, at the Bethel Cemetery in Steptoe, Wash.

 Agnes was born March 31, 1923 in Pullman, Wash. to Roger and Pearl (Dinkins) Bayer. Her father was a graduate student at the time so she only spent a short while in Pullman. During her primary education years, Agnes's family moved around as her father attained different teaching positions. When Agnes and her sister neared high school age, her father settled the family in Steptoe where he bought a small store and ran the post office. Agnes graduated from Steptoe High School in 1941. After high school, she attended Kinman Business College and graduated in 1943.

On March 27, 1943, Agnes married Otto Herman Suess and the couple lived in various places around Steptoe as Otto found work with local farmers. In 1947 the couple settled in the McCroskey home on Highway 195 and lived there until moving to Cheney in 1965. In Cheney, Otto and Agnes owned and operated a laundromat and dry cleaning service until their retirement.

Agnes was an avid reader and enjoyed researching family genealogy. At age 60, Agnes bought an RV and traveled all over the western United States with her sister, Jo. She was a very organized traveler and would meticulously lay out her route before leaving the driveway. She was particularly fond of the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone National Park. She was an excellent cook and will be remembered by her granddaughter for her scrumptious banana cake.

She is survived by her daughters Bobbi (Ron) Morrison of Spokane and Ginny (Jerry) Lonn of Fountain Hills, Arizona; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Otto, sister Jo Babin and daughter Kathy Brannon.

Memorial contributions in Agnes's honor are suggested to the American Diabetes Association or the Bethel Cemetery in Steptoe. Bruning Funeral Home of Colfax, Wash. has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com.