Suzanne Rafko

Suzanne Rafko
May 9, 1930-October 28, 2023

Suzanne Rafko, age 93 of Monroe, passed away the afternoon of Saturday October 28, 2023 at the IHM Senior Living Community.

Suzanne was born May 9, 1930 in Toledo, OH to the late Louis and Marguerite (Shriner) Haffner. She would go on to meet and marry the love of her life, Peter Rafko, on November 26, 1949 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Toledo. The two of them would spend 44 loving years together before Peter’s passing on April 6, 1994.

Suzanne earned her associate degree in business from Monroe County Community College and worked many years at Monroe Automotive Equipment as a secretary, retiring in 1994. Suzanne was also a dedicated homemaker all her adult life. In her spare time, Suzanne loved to garden, travel with her husband, sisters, and brothers in law, and take charter bus excursions to the casino. Perhaps Suzanne’s favorite pastime was reading, often completing a novel a week. Above all else, Suzanne loved spending time with her family and friends.

To cherish her memory, Suzanne leaves her three children: Marilyn (Chris) Northmore of Montrose, CO, Christopher Rafko of Spokane Valley, WA, and Julie (Robbart) Koutstaal of Sioux Falls, SD; sister, Marilyn DeBrosse of Toledo, OH; grandson, Casey (Angelica) Koutstaal of Boise, ID; and many nieces and nephews.

Along with her parents and husband, Suzanne is also preceded in death by her son, Peter Lynn Rafko; two sisters, Barbara Drabek and Judy Dennis; and three brothers in law: Chuck Drabek, Donald Dennis, and Herman DeBrosse.

Family and friends are welcome to visit from 10am-11am at St. Mary Catholic Church on Friday November 3, 2023, where a funeral Mass will be held at the conclusion of visitation at 11am. Father David Burgard will officiate. A private family entombment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, Monroe.

In lieu of flowers, the family insists on memorial contributions to Gabby’s Ladder or the Alzheimer's Association

Online condolences to the family may be made through www.ruppfuneralhomeinc.com