Suellen Deist Brady, 74

Suellen Kay (Deist) Brady passed away peacefully on Dec. 29, surrounded by family and friends. Suellen (Sue) was born on July 30, 1949 to Raymond and Nina (Kleiv) Deist, and was the second of three sisters. Affectionately called “Dusty” by friends and family, Sue’s outgoing spirit landed her many friendships wherever she went. 

Sue graduated from Whitefish High School in 1967 and was active in band, cheerleading, and Girl Scouts. While studying imaging in Minnesota, she met her best friend Renee Kruml and future husband, Sam. Sam and Sue were married on June 6, 1971 at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish, welcoming their two daughters, Trisha and Brooke in 1978 and 1980, respectively. She was a lifelong member of Christ Lutheran Church. 

Sue and Sam loved to spend time camping, fishing, and berry picking in Northwest Montana. They learned to make huckleberry wine, and created treasured memories for those who shared in their enthusiasm. They raised a few quarter horses, loved rockhounding and sapphire mining, skiing, and traveling near and abroad with their children. Family was everything, and Sue and Sam taught their daughters resourcefulness, grit, and satisfaction in the hard work of a job well done.

Sue worked in the medical field in Whitefish for nearly her entire career: accompanying Dr. Kauffman on house calls, in the laboratory, and in Imaging at North Valley Hospital - where she retired after 38 years. She comforted many by sharing her story as a breast cancer survivor, and her family will tell you that her relationships with community neighbors and patients were what meant the most to her. 

Suellen is preceded in death by her beloved husband and soul mate, Samuel Jackson Brady, Jr., and parents Raymond and Nina Deist, also of Whitefish. She is survived by her sister Arletta and husband Roger Presnell, sister Donella and husband Mike Benson, daughter Trisha and husband Lyle Boll and granddaughters Hannah, Brady, and Kimber Boll, and daughter Brooke and husband David Broadstock, along with numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.  (And also Dot and Blackie, the cats, who brought much joy and comfort to her after Sam’s passing). 

In accordance with Sue’s wishes, her ashes will be united with Sam’s next summer at their favorite fishing spot on the South Fork of the Flathead River.

A celebration of life will be held in Suellen’s memory at the Whitefish Community Center (121 E. Second St.) on Jan. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The family encourages everyone who knew Sue to stop by for refreshments, and to reminisce with old friends and the untold number of people she has touched throughout her lifetime in the Whitefish community. Please bring a dish if you are so inclined, but come.