Obituary of Suzanne "Sue" Knierim

Suzanne “Sue” (Weaver) Knierim peacefully went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the age of 86. Suzanne Weaver was born to Clyde “Tubby” Weaver and Thelma Aretta (Chaney) Weaver on August 31st, 1938 in Clay County, Brazil, IN. Called Suzy by her parents (and “Toad” by her father), she was a coal miner’s and a Raccoon Valley china painter’s daughter. Sue spent her early years surrounded by gardens, fruit trees, and animals on the family's 27 wooded acres. She enjoyed hunting morels in the spring and picking flowers, berries, and vegetables around the homestead. In her youth, she attended Epworth United Methodist Church in Brazil, IN. Sue was a proud graduate of Van Buren High School class of 1958 where she was a majorette in the marching band. Sue was also awarded a pair of Singer pinking shears from sewing class for exemplary work sewing a dress for herself. After high school, Sue worked at IBM and JCPenney, once modeling a coat for the retail company. Sue met her future husband Edward James Knierim on a blind date set up by mutual friends Warren & Marilyn Whittington, who also served as their Best Man and Matron of Honor at their wedding. Sue awaited Ed’s arrival home from the Korean Conflict, surprising him by converting to Catholicism while he was deployed. Sue married Ed, the love of her life, on May 16th, 1959 at 6 A.M. at Annunciation Catholic Church in Brazil, IN, officiated by Fr. McSween. Sue and Ed had three daughters. Cheryl Anne (1960), Karen Sue (1963), and Kathy Lynn (1972). Sue was a dedicated homemaker. While raising her youngest daughter, she worked at All Saints Catholic School as a teachers aide, substitute teacher, and tutoring reading skills. She was hardworking, and not afraid to get her hands dirty. She cooked and baked, washed and ironed, and sewed clothes for her children. She still mopped the floor on her hands and knees at the age of 78. Sue had a very strong constitution and was one tough lady, but at the same time loving and kind. She was a Girl Scout Troop Leader for her eldest daughter, and housed case upon case of cookies in their home. Sue was also a lifetime chauffeur toting her daughters and grandchildren around to multiple functions like swim, tap, gymnastics, cheerleading, soccer, basketball, football games, friends houses, colleges, jury duty, work and club meetings. She was an active member of Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church for 60+ years. When they were new to the parish, Sue volunteered by hosting Bible study in their home, cleaning church, and together Sue and Ed worked at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Raceway Park, raising funds for church projects.
Sue enjoyed traveling with family and friends and had been in every state in the US except Hawaii. She loved lighthouses, and collected replicas of many of the locations she had visited in her travels. Sue was the “Queen of Packing,” and would bake an oatmeal cake for the road while packing the Nimrod Camper. Family trips would take us out west or up to Canada. 1967 was the year for a special trip to the World Expo that included the family and sisters and sister-in-law. As the family grew, the camper changed to a Shasta trailer, and, in the 70's, the trips included Suzanne’s parents having an amazing time seeing the mountains. Other travels with her family to Gatlinburg were short getaways over a school break. Camping trips with family friends in Brown County State Park would leave us saying for years, and years, “it's just around the bend”. Then there was a once in a lifetime month-long trip with Ed and his brother Bob through Canada to Denali, Alaska and the return route through Las Vegas, Nevada. At home, Sue’s leisuretime (do moms really have leisure time?) included spending time with family and friends. She enjoyed the Indiana weather while sitting on the front porch watching the birds. Indoors she was watching Perry Mason on TV, playing board games like Clue, computer games like Tetris, or working crossword and jigsaw puzzles. Sue was a member of the Steve Jeffris fan club and would travel around the city with family and friends to attend his concerts. Sue was an avid reader. She enjoyed greeting cards, books, newspapers, magazines, literature, pamphlets, maps, just about anything in print she could get her hands on. Detective/Mystery stories (Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Monk, Murder She Wrote) and Harlequin Romance novels were among her favorites. In the past two years, she had thoroughly enjoyed and completed listening to the entire Hannah Swensen Bakery Mystery book series to date. Sue’s love of family and friends was apparent in all she did. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She doted on and spoiled her grandchildren. Her selflessness was shown by putting others' needs above her own. Sue’s strong sense of family and unwavering support will be deeply missed by all who will cherish many happy memories of time shared with her.
Suzanne “Sue” was preceded in death by her parents Clyde and Thelma Weaver and her husband Edward James Knierim.
She is survived by her 3 daughters Cheryl Knierim Indianapolis, IN, Karen (John) Lynch Chula Vista, CA, Kathy (Matthew) Forston Indianapolis, IN. Her two sisters Kitty (John) Pettit, Brazil, IN and Debra Weaver, Brazil, IN. Her brother-in-law Robert A. Knierim Brazil, IN and sister-in-law
Kathy (Tim) Weaver, Georgetown, KY. 4 nieces Shelly Pettit, Garwood,NJ Nikki (Brent) Gillenwater, New Haven, IN, Heather Stewart, Brazil, IN, Sarah Weaver Georgetown, KY. 6 Grandchildren Janna (Benjamin) Oesterling Lafayette, IN Andrea Lynch (Bobak Kechavarzi), Indianapolis, IN, Emily Lynch, Chula Vista, CA, Kelly (Sean) Gray El Cajon, CA, Garrett Forston, Indianapolis, IN, Elliott Forston Indianapolis, IN, 1 Greatgranddaughter Cricket Oesterling, Lafayette, IN and many treasured faithful and loving friends.
Donations may be made, in Sue Knierim’s memory, to Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church or the American Diabetes Association.