Darlene Ann (Novak) Suter

Darlene Ann (Novak) Suter of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014 St. Mary's Medical Center in Grand Junction, Colo.

Born Feb. 7, in Morehouse, Mo. to the late Adam and Ruby (nee Dixon) Novak, Darlene was retired and lived with her husband on their farm near Stringtown, west of Poplar Bluff. She and Ron have a house in the northwest mountains of Colorado where they were vacationing when she became ill.

Darlene attended Sacred Heart Catholic School and Rosati Kain High School in Saint Louis. Returning to Poplar Bluff, she graduated from PB Senior High in 1955, where she was active in the Drama Club. She attended University of Missouri Saint Louis, where she received her Bachelors with an emphasis in accounting.

Darlene was a former bank examiner with the Federal Farm Credit Land Bank and she was active in Real Estate in the St. Louis area. A prolific volunteer, she participated in fund raising for many charities and organizations. Her most recent efforts were involved with the restoration of the towns old MoPac railroad station and the staircase as well as the revitalization for the downtown area. She was a member of the local stage company and had performed in a variety of productions.

She was noted for her singing and sang in the choir at Sacred Heart and also at the United Methodist Church in Poplar Bluff. Her singing was enjoyed by many who heard her sing with jazz groups and small bands. In addition to her talents of singing and playing the piano she was a motivational speaker. Her presentations were delivered on local radio stations, to businesses and group meetings as well as leadership groups. She was a long standing member of Toastmasters International serving as a District Governor. In November 2013, she was the recipient of the Distinguished Toastmasters Award, the highest achievement that the organization presents for communication and leadership.

Darlene was beginning a new endeavor as an author and recently published her first book directed to children. She was in the process of writing two other books at the time of her passing.

Darlene always wore her hats, was loved by many and will be missed. Her love was for her family, friends, co-workers and so many more, too numerous to individually name.

Survived by her husband Ronald Leo Suter; one daughter, Dana Lynn ( Keith ) Bodenschatz, of Lake Ozark, Mo; one granddaughter Casey ( Bobby ) Filpot; two great granddaughters, Brielle Rose and Lilah Ann Filpot; Sibling to Adam A. Novak, Antoinette C. Summers (deceased), Blanche G. Crook, Lawrence P. Novak and Nicholas (Nick) C. Novak (deceased). She had numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles with whom she maintained contact with throughout her life. She was considered the matriarch of the family.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday in the funeral chapel with Bishop Fredrick J. Sansone officiating. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908.