Suzanne R. Thordarson

Suzanne (Sue) Ray Thordarson, a beloved wife, mother, ama, and great-ama passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026, in Post Falls, Idaho, surrounded by the love and warmth of her daughters. She spent her life nurturing a love of family, a steadfast faith, and a generosity to all that will be remembered forever through the lives of those she touched.

Born on July 28, 1931, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to Verne and Blanche Ashley, she spent her youth living in many places in the northwest including, Coeur d’Alene, Plummer, Sandpoint, and Seattle where she settled as a young adult. It was here that she met the love of her life, Loran August Thordarson, (who preceded her in death) at the Copper Club in Ballard. They married at Calvary Lutheran Church in 1957.

Sue and Loran started their family in Seattle with the arrival of their first daughter, JoAnn Walls (Stephen-deceased) in 1958. In 1960 along came “the twins,” Karen Thordarson (Joni) and Kathy Willy (Cris) and finally, Linda Harris (Rick-deceased) in 1964. In 1972, the family moved to Post Falls, Idaho.

Sue dedicated much of her time working with teachers and students within the school districts of Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene and Chandler Arizona. She worked in various capacities including secretary, classroom aide, and special education aide. Her favorite position was whenever she had the opportunity to work directly with the children. She even enjoyed taking time out of her retirement to help out in the classrooms where her daughters and grand-daughter taught.

Sue’s family included;

her grandchildren: John Willy (Erin), Rachel Walls, Erika Willy (Bennett), Peter Walls, Samantha Harris (deceased), Violet Harris and Matthew Harris,

her three great-grandchildren: Cameron Willy, April Oerter and William Oerter,

two families close to her heart: Alex Oerter (Yuri) and Ethan Oerter (Ashley),

her sister-in-law Jill Ashley, and

her numerous cherished nieces, nephews and their families.

She was also preceded in death by her parents, her sister Joyce Leonard (Robert), her brother John Ashley (Jill), and her brother Michael Ashley (Sherry)

She will be deeply missed, and her love and legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Her family would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the caregivers and residents at Life Care Center of Post Falls and Orchard Ridge Senior Living in Coeur d’Alene for the love, care and compassion that they provided our mother in the last years of her life.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 9th at Trails End Brewery in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Another celebration will be held in Seattle sometime early this summer. Once we have more specifics we will let people know.