Suzan Alyce Stoltze

Suzan (Mielke) Stoltze was born to John C. and Margaret (Gustafson) Mielke in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho where John was working in construction during the Great Depression. John and Margaret were working their way westward from Montana to Alaska. In 1940 the Mielkes, with one year old Suzan, departed Seattle for Seward, Alaska on an Alaska Steamship Company ship. Suzan grew up in Old Anchorage. The family first resided in a house between 3rd and 4th Avenue where the Alaska Court Building now stands. The Mielkes later lived on the newly constructed Fort Richardson near Green Lake on the old Karhonen Farm. Suzan attended Pioneer School downtown (where she later volunteered, providing tours and sharing history), Schools on Base, and was a proud alumnus of Anchorage High School (class of ’56). She was a popular and involved student, participating in numerous activities including figure skating and square dancing. She remained in contact with many classmates, and some became lifelong friends. Suzan enjoyed not only attending but helping organize class reunions. Suzan was an accomplished writer, poet and artist at a young age. In high school she received a national award for her poetry submission. Throughout her life she freely shared her writing and artwork with friends and family. She gifted her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews with her individualized stories and artwork. Although she sometime expressed regret that she could not provide “real” gifts, family members still treasure the writing and artwork they received from Suzan, long after other gifts were forgotten. In 1957 Suzan proved up on a home site parcel on Lower Peters Creek in Birchwood. After living in Anchorage, in 1969 Suzan and her husband Dick Stoltze, along with their large family, moved to their property in Birchwood. In 1970 they had their 10th child. Dick and Suzan took great pride in their yard, manually developing lawn and landscaping, legendary gardens, fruit trees and massive flower beds. The Stoltze home and beautiful creek-side yard was a place to join with family and friends on a regular basis. Throughout her life Suzan was constantly involved in volunteer efforts in her children’s schools, her church, the arts, civic activities and countless acts of random kindness, mostly without recognition, as was her personal preference. Suzan had a passion for Vacation Bible School and Sunday School. Her artwork, articles and poetry appeared in many publications over the years. Sharing her work provided a great deal of satisfaction to her. Suzan had a long association with the Hugh O’Brian Youth Summit, receiving recognition and awards for her many years of volunteer work. She served for over a decade as secretary of the Birchwood Community Council, focusing on the development and improvement of her community’s pioneer neighborhood roads and drainage. She was very active in the PTA’s of Creekside and Birchwood Elementary Schools. In later years, she and other residents of Chugiak Senior Center volunteered with Chugiak Elementary Schools kindergarten students. Suzan was involved in numerous organizations. Although she loved visiting friends and the social aspects of meetings, she was foremost a worker and doer. She was a member of the Anchorage Women’s Club, Chugiak Ladies Club, and the Anchorage Paint Pushers Club, assisting with scholarships and community betterment. At Chugiak Senior Center, where she also lived for several years, Suzan organized countless social and celebratory events, providing elegant linens, china and stemware, making the events memorable for everyone. And, every May Day, always accompanied by one or more grandchildren, she secretly placed May Day floral arrangements at residents doors. Suzan also loved to assist with the special events of friends and neighbors, providing linens and catering supplies for many weddings. When Suzan had to downsize, she donated her extensive collection of “hobbyist” catering supplies to local service organizations, including the Lions and Elks. Suzan was not an attention seeker by nature, but she enjoyed the honor of being named Grand Marshall of the Chugiak Independence Day Parade in recognition of her decades of dedicated community service. Suzan was also very active and a leader in Girl Scouts. She was the first Anchorage recipient of the Golden Bar, and later was employed as a camp counselor. Suzan was an avid reader, usually devouring two to three books a week. She had little use for television, except for watching countless Disney classics with her Grandson Konrad. Suzan was also an avid historian. History researchers often consulted Suzan to tap her sharp, rich memory about the area, events and people she knew over eight decades. Suzan enjoyed traveling/vacationing to visit relatives in the lower 48, and to many tropical destinations with her husband, family and friends. Suzan was preceded in death by her husband Dick, sons Karl and Jimmy and granddaughter Briannan. She is survived by sisters Marnice Foote and Trudy Keller (Ron); and brothers John Mielke (Coleen), Bill Mielke (Darlene) and Frank Mielke (Shelley). Suzan is survived by nine children, Chris Olson, Rick Stoltze (Wendy), Vicki Stoltze, John (Robin) Stoltze, Bill Stoltze, Cassie Koehler (Kurt), Joe Stoltze (Gretchen), David Stoltze (Shannon) and Michael Stoltze; and Grandchildren Gerri, Leah, Uriah and Jude; Spring; Konrad and Keith; Jay and Amber; Jason, Eric and Brittney; Eric and Amanda; Hannah and Michelle; and twenty-five beautiful Great-grandchildren; Many nieces and nephews, extended family and close friends. The family wishes to acknowledge the professionalism of Providence Hospital staff and the Chaplains, as well as the dedicated men and women of the Chugiak Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department. No service is currently scheduled at this time.