Suzanne Elaine Kral

Suzanne Elaine Kral was born July 1, 1947, to Donald and Elaine (LaPointe) Wardrop in St. Paul. She lived her childhood in Shoreview, on the shores of Lake Owasso, where she and her siblings developed a life-long love of Minnesota lake life. She attended Saint Rose of Lima elementary school and Alexander Ramsey High School in Roseville. Suzanne graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1969, where she met her future husband in Shakespeare class.

She was united in marriage to Dennis Kral on August 16, 1969, at St. Odellia Catholic Church in Shoreview, Minnesota. Following marriage Dennis and Suzanne moved to Fairmont, Minnesota where Dennis was a high school teacher, while Suzanne taught in Winnebago, Minnesota. In 1972 Dennis and Suzanne moved to Detroit Lakes. In the fall of 1973, they bought a house on Big Floyd Lake, where Suzanne continued her love of Minnesota’s lakes and raised daughters Julia and Elizabeth.

Suzanne was a substitute and part time English teacher in Detroit Lakes before teaching full time at Circle of Life School in White Earth, and junior high in Mahnomen. Her teaching experiences on the White Earth Reservation gave her a love of native culture and provided an opportunity to gain life-long friendships with her colleagues.

She was preceded in death by her parents and infant nephew, Grant Wardrop. She is survived by her husband, Dennis, and daughters Julia (Mark) Castillo, and Elizabeth Kral; grandchildren Vincent and Vanessa Castillo and Sawyer Elgren; brothers and sisters Marie (Bob) Louisell, Andrew (Kathryn) Wardrop, Ann (Bruce) Mason, Dan Wardrop, and Alice (Vince) Justinak, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Suzanne loved reading, flowers, lake life, live music, antiques, good food, travel and above all else the company of friends and family. She would want you all to find a sunset and enjoy it with those you love and a good libation.

Suzanne’s family thanks all the friends who helped us through this difficult journey, whether it was in person or simply by knowing you cared and held us in your thoughts and prayers. We could not have done this without you.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Red River Valley, Friends of Tamarac, and the Lakes Crisis Center.