Suzanne Elizabeth Herriges

Suzanne Elizabeth Herriges nee Susonnah Elisabet Schneider was born to Ferdinand and Adolfine Schneider on July 2, 1930 in Harvey, North Dakota. Ferdinand and Adolfine were German citizens who immigrated to North Dakota in the early 1900s. 

Suzanne married Harlyn Herriges in 1947. The couple lived in Franklin for many years where they helped found the Franklin Players, later called the Suburban Players and participated in community affairs, volunteering for the Franklin PTA, St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church and other manufacturing and nonprofit organizations. In the 1950s and 1960s Suzanne was employed as an executive secretary by the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, Wagner Iron Works, George J. Meyer Manufacturing Company, School Sisters of St Francis and numerous other organizations for nearly 70 years

 In the mid-1950s Suzanne was invited to learn watercolor painting by a friend and thus began her career as a professional artist. Over the years she studied with Sr. Lucinda Hubing at Alverno College and Bridget Austin at The Clearing in Door County. .For sixteen years she spent a week at the Clearing where she refined her painting techniques and made many friends from surrounding states.

Over the years Suzanne was an active member and volunteer for the League of Milwaukee Artists, the Rogues Gallery, and Wauwatosa Artists’ League. She exhibited at galleries around the state including Beloit Arts Center, Inspiration Studios, Interfaith, Tudor Oaks, Boerner Botanical Gardens, and Charles A. Wustum Museum (Racine), 

Working under the name of Suzanne Eli-Germaine she has created more than 300 watercolor and oil paintings. Trips through the United States, Europe and Asia gave her artistic inspiration in addition to special adventures and memories with her husband, Harlyn.

Suzanne is survived by her daughters, Davney Stahley (Robert) and Marsha Berenson (John) and grandsons, Ryan Weber, Aaron Weber (Becky) and David Berenson as well as numerous family members and friends. In addition to her parents and siblings, Suzanne is preceded in death by her husband, Harlyn Germaine Herriges (1925-2006) and son, Scott Harlyn Herriges (1950). 

Family and friends are welcome to gather on Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 12:30 to 1:15 PM at St Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church (6881 S. 51st Street, Franklin, WI.) A service to celebrate her life will take place at 1:30pm. 

In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Suzanne may be made to the Herriges Education Fund at  St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6881 S. 51st Street, Franklin WI.