Suzan A. Derenne

Suzan Ann (nee’ Matthes) (Saron) Derenne was born on January 16, 1947, in Milwaukee, WI, and died on March 25, 2022 in Phoenix, AZ. She was the only child of Edward W. and Matilda Ann Matthes. Most of her early life was in Chicago but she also spent considerable time with her grandparents Eugene F. and Erna Matthes in Milwaukee. He was a railroad train mechanic and took her for many train rides on his off days, just for fun. She also spent time with her beloved grandmother Ann (“Nanie”) and her husband Joseph (“Boppum”) Mias at their restaurants in downtown Milwaukee and in then-rural Cedarburg, WI. As a child she took baton and ballet lessons. She once led the Independence Day Parade while twirling down Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee. She met Gary Player at a golf tournament after ducking under the ropes and obtained his autograph (“He was very handsome.”). She graduated from Homestead High School, Mequon, WI and from Spencerian College, Milwaukee, where she was a member of the Pi Rho Zeta sorority. She attended Loyola School of Art, Chicago and Layton School of Art, Milwaukee. She was active in silversmithing for several years. She moved to Sturgeon Bay, WI in 1975 where she quickly learned there was no train station. She served as president of the Parent-Teacher Group, was active with Tiger Cubs and was a Brownie Scout leader. She served on the Sturgeon Bay school board, volunteered with Door County Social Services and, with her husband Scott, was a foster parent. Art was always a part of her life and she displayed and sold many of her works at art fairs in Door County, WI as well as helping her kids with painting projects. Her many occupations include secretary at a realty, medical clinic assistant, store detective Boston Store, model for a clothing store and SAS airlines trunk show, advertising department and model Trane Company, dispatcher and undercover work Brookfield, WI police department, night security patrol at a shipyard and jail matron in Door County. Because she wanted a job that paid “the same as a man’s”, she became a nationally registered paramedic, working for a short time with an ambulance service in the Fox Valley and for 21 years with the Door County Emergency Medical Service, a job she was very good at and thoroughly enjoyed. She always appreciated “her” volunteer First Responders. Her children were at the center of her heart. She was given advice – “Love your children like every day is their last” – and she did. Make no mistake, she made sure her kids (and just about everyone else) were accountable for their actions and behavior; the epitome of tough love. Her directness was unmistakable but she called it like she saw it and was brutally honest, and was right 99% of the time (100% in her opinion). She demanded responsibility. She married her husband Scott in 1992 and says she always felt safe and cared for. After her retirement she enjoyed their home on Cove Road, visits from her children and step-kids and their families, her jet ski and sailing. She even did a little skiing, once obtaining a round of applause from a group at the bottom of the hill watching her take 20 minutes to get down. She loved her Maltese, Daisy, just about more than anything else in the world. She and Scott (and Daisy) have resided in Phoenix, AZ since 2017, where her clothes ironing load has gone to zero. She is survived by her husband Scott, children Brad (Brooke) Saron, Brook (Cary) Jeanquart, Brent (Linda) Saron, Brandon (Chris) Saron and stepchildren Emily Derenne (Matt Bain), Anton (Trudie) Derenne and Sam (Lana) Derenne. She has 15 grandchildren. She is also very appreciative of her soulmate and best friend, Diane (Grimmer) Laws, with whom she had great conversations, lots of fun and many laughs. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Chandler Regional Medical Center. Please consider donating in Suzi’s name to your favorite animal welfare agency. Private committal services will be at St. Joseph Cemetery Mausoleum with Rev. Dr. Matthew Knapp officiating.  On-line condolences may be offered at forbesfuneralhome.com

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