Suzanne A. Hondius, 54

Suzanne A. Hondius, 54, of Kalispell, died April 13, 2005, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

She was born in Denver, on April 14, 1950. She grew up in Littleton, Colo., and graduated from Bear Creek High School in 1968; and then attended college in Durango, Colo.

On Sept. 17, 1971, she married Jack Thomas and they moved to Jacksonville, Fla., where they jointly operated a Radio Shack franchise. Sue and Jack were divorced in 1975 and she moved back to Denver.

On April 2, 1977, she married Pieter Hondius. A year later they moved to the Flathead Valley and settled in Kila where they built their home. Sue gave birth to her daughter, Valerie Sue, on Jan. 14, 1986.

Though Sue and Pieter were divorced on April 5, 2000, they continued to maintain a close and friendly relationship and shared responsibility of raising their daughter Valerie.

Sue worked at various businesses in the valley as a receptionist and bookkeeper. But about 12 years ago Sue was stricken with multiple sclerosis and could no longer work full time. For the last couple of years she has been working for her good friend Julie Drexler at Julie's Center Street Cafe in Kalispell.

She enjoyed the outdoors, especially the hunting and fishing trips with her boyfriend, Randy Lozeau.

She will be dearly missed by her family and many close friends.

She is survived by her daughter, Valerie Hondius, of Kalispell; and a brother, Clarke Blake, of Houston.

No visitation is planned. A memorial will be held on Sunday, April 24, at the Kalispell Eagles Club, beginning at 3 p.m.

The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, P.O. Box 1847, Great Falls, MT 59403-1847.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Helen's family.