Margaret (Peggy) Isabel Suenkel, 98
Margaret (Peggy) Isabel Suenkel May 31, 1923 – Dec. 29, 2021
Margaret Isabel Brennan was born in Moscow, Idaho, on May 31, 1923, to Norwegian parents C. Mabel and George O. Brennan.
Raised on the family homestead farm outside of Deary, Idaho, Peggy attended Pine Hill School, a one room school, and graduated from Deary High School. After graduation, Peggy earned her registered nursing degree from Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing, in Spokane, Wash. Peggy married Gordon Drury and had two daughters, Beth and Sherry. Gordon passed away unexpectedly in 1959. An old high school beau, Doug Suenkel, paid a condolence visit to Peggy which led to their courtship and marriage. The love between Doug and Peggy was something to behold; a love once kindled, and thought lost, but later found, is quite remarkable. Doug brought his two children, Norm and Nancy, into the marriage and a blended family was formed. The arrival of Meg (Margaret Isabel, named by her father, in honor of her mother) completed the family. Peggy had a compassionate heart for nursing. She initially worked in Pediatrics at Sacred Heart Hospital, and later in various nursing homes in Coeur d’Alene. She was a nurse at the original Coeur d’Alene Homes, now The Garden at Orchard Ridge, where, having come full circle, she resided for the last eleven years and was given wonderful compassionate care. A woman of faith, Peggy was a life-long Lutheran, a member of Trinity Lutheran in Coeur d’Alene since 1959 and enjoyed serving in many ministries at Trinity throughout the years whether in the kitchen helping with lefse making, or with funeral luncheons. She had the gift of kindness and giving; somehow, she knew how to do just the right thing, be it leaving a jar of her freshly made applesauce or a pan of her freshly baked cinnamon rolls at your door. It is with great sadness, but yet with great joy that we bid Peggy a fond farvel og farvel (farewell), and Ha det bra (good-bye) on Dec. 29, 2021.
Peggy was predeceased by her parents, her brother Richard Brennan Christopherson, husband Gordon Drury, daughters Beth Oliver and Sherry Drury, and her beloved husband, Doug Suenkel. She is survived by her children; Norm (Peg) Suenkel, Nancy Davis, Meg (Mike) Andrews. Her grandchildren, Katie Suenkel-Graupman (Justin), Tim Suenkel, Kelly Smith (Tim) Leah Andrews, Krista Andrews-Shahini (Saheed). Christopher Davis, Kim Goffe, and Kirsten Oliver. She was also blessed with many great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her second cousin, Jan Alden (Brennan, Nisha, Nina and Krishan) who was very dear to Peggy. Peggy and Jan shared many wonderful memories and adventures revisiting the family homestead area and family cemetery; Zion Lutheran Cemetery, just outside of Deary, Idaho, where Peggy and Doug will be interred.
We want to thank everyone at Orchard Ridge, who loved and cared for our dear Peggy all of these years, as well as Karen and Laura of Hospice of North Idaho for their care and compassion.
A celebration of her life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Coeur d‘Alene, Idaho, on May 7, 2022 at 11 a.m. To see Peggy's online Memorial and to leave a message for the family please visit englishfuneralchapel.com.
