Susan Marie Saurey, 71

Susan (Sue) Marie Saurey, 71, passed away on December 8, 2024, at her home in Columbia Falls after a brief but difficult battle with cancer.

Sue was born on June 22, 1953 in Kalispell. 

She was raised in Columbia Falls along with her older sister, Debbie, and younger sister, Janet.  The girls grew up on Brunner Road riding their horse Toby and playing ball with the Graham kids. Sue’s roots in the valley run deep, as her great-grandfather Robert Saurey Sr. homesteaded near Trumble Creek in 1891.  

Sue spent many memorable summers in Spokane, WA with her grandparents Arthur and Myrtle Haines.

After graduating from Columbia Falls High School in 1971, she married James C. Johnsrud. Together they had four children, Tara, Carla, Jesstina, and Dirk. 

Sue cherished her role as a mother and grandmother with her family being the center of her life.  The family spent many fond times camping and recreating around the Flathead valley.  

Sue was involved with coaching her daughters’ softball teams, her son’s soccer team, and was active in the CFHS Booster Club.  She enjoyed following her grandchildren’s activities and doing crafts or baking with them.  Sleepovers at Grandma

Sue’s were always a treat. Sue loved working outside with her flowers and puttering around the yard.  She guided her granddaughters in creating their own fairy gardens.  Her other passion was painting and she looked forward to her time with her weekly painting group.

Sue operated a daycare from her home while her children were little and began working at Plum Creek when they were older. 

Sue obtained her paralegal degree in her 40s and worked in that role before joining the City of Columbia Falls.  She retired from Edward Jones Investments in 2018.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Dan E. Saurey and Donna (Haines) Prier, her sister Debbie (John) Green, daughter Jesstina Johnsrud, and granddaughter Hazel Hurst.

Sue is survived by her sister Janet (Hal) Hollo, her children: Tara (Trent) Young, Carla (Darwin) Hurst, and Dirk Johnsrud, her grandchildren: Julian (Jylisa) Butcher, Trystan Butcher, Kamry Young, Lexi Hurst, and Samuel Johnsrud, her great grandchildren: Finley and Crew Butcher, uncle Jeff Haines, as well as her beloved nephews and nieces.

A celebration of Sue’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 401 7th Street West, Columbia Falls, MT 59912. 

Family and friends may begin to visit on Friday starting at 10:30 a.m. Inurnment will follow at Woodlawn cemetery.  All are welcome to attend a luncheon at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church after the inurnment. To send online condolences, please visit columbiamortuary.com.