Suzanne Luger, age 85 of Prior Lake, formerly of St. Cloud, passed away peaceful surrounded by her children on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. A visitation will be held on Friday, November 11, 2016 from 10:00-11:00Am with Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00AM all at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16311 Duluth Ave. SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside. Suzanne will be laid to rest next to her husband at the Minnesota State Cemetery at Fort Ripley.
On May 29, 1931, Leo and Marion (King) Regnier celebrated the birth of their daughter Suzanne Regnier. Along with her sisters, Suzanne enjoyed growing up in La Crosse, Wisconsin where her father managed the Doerflinger’s Department Store. Suzanne loved swimming in the river and going on family picnics. From a young age, Suzanne valued her educated. Upon her graduation from Aquinas Catholic School, Suzanne attended St. Catherine University where she earned her teaching degree. She taught Home Economics in several small towns throughout Wisconsin. Eventually Suzanne moved to the Twin Cities to work in the Pillsbury test kitchens.
During this time, Suzanne attended the ski club with friends. It was here she met Richard Luger, a handsome U of M alumus who resembled Frank Sinatra. After their first date, Suzanne came home to discover her roommates jokingly hung a poster of Frank Sinatra above her bed. The couple continued dating, eventually exchanging wedding vows on January 26, 1958 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in La Crosse. During their first years of marriage, the young couple moved numerous times. They even lived for a while in New York when Richard, an engineer, was on a special assignment that stationed him in Greenland to work of the DEW line. Eventually, they settled in Shoreview, Minnesota where they raised their family.
Suzanne’s greatest passion in life was being a homemaker. No matter where they lived, Suzanne transformed a house into a home. She was an amazing cook, hostess, and seamstress. The family enjoyed spending time with one another. Christmas time was important around the Luger house. Hand crafted advent calendars, stockings stuffed with canned oysters, and countless homemade gifts were a few highlights. In the summer the family spent time at their cabin, spending hours together swimming, playing games, and having bonfires. Suzanne drove all five children and their assorted pets. They sang to the latest radio hits and stopped to eat and wade at Lake Mille Lacs.
When Richard and Suzanne retired, they designed and built their dream home on Clearwater Lake in Annandale. They dedicated their time to starting an antique business together, combining Richard’s engineering skills and Suzanne’s artistic touch. From exhibiting their wares at countless antique shows, to traveling the country looking for treasures among the trash, the couple made the most of their time together. A lifelong caregiver, Suzanne provided care and companionship even as Richard’s health declined. Suzanne’s thoughtfulness extended beyond her family. As a devout Catholic, she supported and volunteered throughout her life. She especially enjoyed singing in the church choir.
In her final days, Suzanne moved to Prior Lake to be closer to her family. Suzanne was a cheerful, loving wife, mother, and grandmother whose steadfast love will live on in her children, Laura (Chuck) Aase, Kathleen (Coutney) Brown, Suzanne Luger, Matthew Luger, Mark (Sam) Luger; grandchildren, Madeline Aase, Maxwell Brown, Alexander Luger, Ari Luger, Olivia Luger; siblings, Rita (Bill)Bernard and Marion (Greg) Egan; many loving relatives and friends. There to greet Suzanne in heaven is her husband, Richard.
