Erika Maria Suttmeier

Erika Maria Suttmeier, 84, of Vienna, WV, passed away at home on August 15, 2017, with two of her six children at her side. Erika was born in Munster, Westphalia Germany, to Helmut Renneke and Else (nee Thole) Renneke, on April 24, 1933. Erika immigrated from Germany in the early 1950’s. In 1960, Erika married her loving husband of 44 years, Peter Alan Suttmeier of South Cairo, NY; they settled in Frankfort, NY for the next 17 years. After living briefly in Conklin, NY and Salt Lake City, UT, the family settled for almost 20 years in Vestal, NY. Finally, in the late 1990’s, following Pete’s retirement, the couple retired to Dunnellon, FL. Erika was a loving wife and mother who was incredibly talented. Throughout her life, Erika continuously demonstrated a high degree of originality and creativity. She expertly sewed her children’s childhood clothes, including intricate Halloween costumes that won annual awards. Erika’s artistic achievements also included: intricate stained glass pieces, large mosaic tile pieces of art work and expertly reupholstered antique furniture. Erika designed and inserted intricate patterns in her floor tile projects and, in one of her later projects, she designed and constructed a new bathroom counter made small tile pieces. After losing her husband, Erika became involved with the local Hospice volunteer group, with AARP Tax volunteers and she spent countless hours volunteering at a local Alzheimer’s Retirement Home. Erika is survived by her six children; Peter (Becky) Suttmeier, MaryAnn (Michael) Daley, Laurie Suttmeier, Barbara (Patrick) Burdick, Patricia Suttmeier and Daniel (Jordana) Suttmeier, eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, an older sister Marianne (Walter) Fuschtenbusch and a younger brother Helmut (Maria) Renneke, two nieces and five nephews, and several very close friends. Erika was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Peter A. Suttmeier. As expressly wished by Erika, no memorial service is being planned and, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Erika was a great believer in putting money where it would do the most good.