Suzanne Helen Peyton

Suzanne Helen (Zachman) Peyton, born in St. Paul, Minnesota, May 30, 1932, Memorial day.  Suzie is daughter of Arnold and Genevieve Zachman who owned the Zachman Brothers greenhouse on Grand Avenue until 1964 when it was removed to build the Ayd Mill road. Elizabeth Ayd was Suzie’s great grandmother.  Suzie’s grandfather was Albert Zachman whom the MN town of Albertville is named.  Albert donated the land used to build the Catholic church and train depot as the foundation for Albertville.  Arnold, her father, was the first to design greenhouses out of Aluminum and the whole family, including Suzie were trained as florists. She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings Carol (John Markert), James (MaryEllen), Albert, Eleanor (Lawrence Hill), and Jeffrey.

Suzie was always a hard worker with a ready smile regardless the task.  She and her sister Ellie   were known as the “Gold dust Twins" when they would enthusiastically help with all the household and greenhouse chores.  Later Suzie and her sisters were trained to become talented in floral arrangement.  They were in high demand for weddings, funerals, proms, etc.; They also grew home gardens that were uniquely planted out of pure joy for horticulture creation.  She went to St. Luke's (now St. Thomas More) grade school and then Visitation Convent High school (1950 grad). She completed a Bachelor's degree in Education and Art from University of Minnesota (1954) and became an elementary school teacher (including Sydney Pratt next to Tower Hill (the “witches hat”) in Minneapolis..  She also has postgraduate certification in special education which she used to teach art to children with special needs at St. Gerard's school in Austin MN.

She married James Peyton (who preceded her in death, June 1997) at St. Lukes on Summit Avenue in St. Paul. Jim was a joyful tennis pro. He managed the U of MN tennis courts as well as started the first tennis team at St. John University when he was a student.  He graduated St John’s in 1954 with degree in history and economics.  Suzie met Jim at a party near the U of MN.  Jim later, visited Suzie when she worked in Glacier park as a telephone operator for a couple Summers. Suzie says that is where they fell in love.  Jim was a son of Dr. William Peyton and Clara.  Dr Peyton was a surgeon who founded the first Neurosurgery department at the University of MN medical school and is cousin of Venerable Fr. Patrick.  Clara had a degree in home economics. The Peyton's had extra gardening space at the University since he was a professor and Jim shared Suzie’s love of gardening.

After marriage and a couple of years in St. Paul, Jim and Suzie moved to Ohio, where he worked for the W.T. Grant Company as an assistant manager, moving every couple of years to a new store.  They eventually moved back to MN and after a brief stint selling insurance, Jim tested to become a social services agent and took a job for Mower County, in Austin, Minnesota where they lived for about 40 years.  They raised 6 children and were parishioners of Queen of Angels. Patsy (Geno), Essenmacher who followed Jim in social work and is a psychotherapist; William multiple degrees in Education, is a teacher and sports writer; James (Ann Lien), a business man, Timothy (Hang) an electrician and handy man;  Teresa (Fady) Tawil (nurse practitioner specializing in Geriatrics and; Rick (Shelly) an Army Veteran and HVAC general manager.

Suzie and Jim retired to a lake home in Kimball, MN so the grandchildren could be entertained swimming and fishing! Suzie cut flowers from her extensive gardens every week during the growing season to make Altar bouquets for her parish St. Anne's Catholic Church. Eldest son William (Bill) moved to the Kimball home to enable Suzie to stay in her home after some health issues.  In 2017 she moved to North Ridge Assisted Living where daughter Teresa worked, to be closer to family and was blessed to have her sister Ellie live with her for a couple of years. She attended St. Raphael's church with Teresa and the parish also served the facility.  In June of 2019, Suzie moved to Mound MN where she lived with son Tim and his wife Hang.  Tim was her primary care giver with Hang, family and close friends providing frequent assistance.  She loved singing, Tim’s gardening and especially frequent visits from her new born, granddaughter Maria.

She passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 89, in Mound, MN,10/26/21.

Suzie is survived by her 6 children mentioned above and is blessed with 12 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren!!

She received Holy Communion weekly and was blessed to pass in the Month of the Holy Rosary, in The year of St. Joseph and have a Christian burial in November, the month dedicated to souls. Mass of a Christian Burial/Funeral is on Friday, November 5th, at 10am at Church of St. Raphael in Crystal MN, with Pastor Fr. Nick Hagen. Visitation 5-8pm Thursday evening, with service at 7pm at Gerty-Delmore Funeral Chapels, 15800 37th Ave North, Plymouth, MN 55446. Visitation and Rosary (sacrament of confession available), one hour prior to Funeral at the Church Friday morning. Luncheon to follow the Funeral in Marian Hall at St. Raphael and will be an opportunity for sharing memories. Burial at St. Anne's Cemetery in Kimball at 3pm. Fr. Thomas Knobloch, friend of the family will preside.

Memorials to non-profit organizations: Sharing and Caring Hands ( sharingandcaringhands.org ), or Curatio Apostolate for Catholic Healthcare Professionals ( curatioapostolate.com )