Suzanne Tasker Rich Buteyn, 92, finished her journey home and stepped into eternity and the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on April 22, 2023. Born in South Portland Maine, Suzanne moved to Findlay Ohio, and then Skillman N.J. where she raised her family with her first husband. It was in being part of a church plant of Princeton Presbyterian Church that in 1986 Suzanne came to faith, and from then on committed her life to loving and serving Jesus Christ and His church. If you have had the pleasure of knowing Suzanne, a little or a lot, you have heard her testimony of how Jesus radically transformed her life. She rarely would miss the opportunity to proclaim Christ, and the free gift of faith through grace alone, to the Glory of God.
In 2004, Suzanne moved to Holland Michigan, where she continued her Christian calling and church work through membership in Fellowship and Hope Reformed Churches. Suzanne’s passion for God’s word, had her constantly involved in many bible study groups as well as a mission trip to Haiti. Having been single for over 20 years and saying she would only consider remarrying if God happened to bring a retired pastor into her life; in 2010 she met and married Donald Peter Buteyn… a retired pastor. Suzanne and Don were lifelong learners and enjoyed traveling. The two of them, 80 and 85, were a couple with youthful enthusiasm and excitement for life. They enjoyed their driving trips to visit family and friends in Maine and California, where Suzanne added to her list of 20 or more national parks she has visited. She loved seeing and experiencing God in creation.
Suzanne will be deeply missed by family and friends alike, but her enduring legacy as a woman of God, prayer warrior, and evangelist will serve family, friends, and unknown others, for generations to come. As a family, we cannot say enough for the loving compassionate care that was provided to Suzanne by Holland Hospital nurses, Hospice of Holland, and Comfort Keepers of Holland.
Suzanne was preceded in death by parents Malcolm and Anna Tasker, sister Carol Tasker, husband Donald Buteyn, son Jonathan Rich, stepdaughter Jean Amato, sister and brothers-in-law Penelope and Peter Wilson, Lee Wenke, and Carl Schroeder.
Surviving family members are Roxanne and Mark Robinson, Mark and Diane Rich, Bonnie Abrams Rich, Melissa and Ken Herman, Richard and Kathy Buteyn, Joyce and Ray Garrett, Carol and William Harris, Doug and Bonnie Buteyn, Steve and Jenette Buteyn, Joan Wenke and Lucille Schroeder, as well as 7 grandchildren: Samuel and Annie Rich, Christian, and Mandie Rich, Sandra and Nathan Files, Jessica, and Caleb Buckwalter, Kimberly and Quamil Logan, Galen Hager Rich, and Laura Rich, and 4 great-grandchildren: Madison Rich, Aryanna Boonstra, Hazen Rich, and Alice Rich.
A celebration of life service will be held at Hope Reformed Church on Friday, May 5th, and officiated by the Reverends Jill Russell of Hope Church, James Baar of Fellowship Reformed Church, and Ken Smith of Princeton Presbyterian Church. The service will be at 1:00, followed by a reception and visitation with the family. Suzanne’s ashes will be interred at Lakewood Cemetery in Holland, Michigan. The celebration of Suzanne’s life will be live-streamed at https://hopechurchrca.org/index.php/live-stream.
Arrangements are by Dykstra Funeral Homes. Memorial gifts may be given to the Embody Christ Fellowship church plant, 2014 South Shore Drive, Holland, MI
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