Suzanne Harland

Suzanne DeNio Harland

September 28, 1948 - Aug. 8, 2023

McCOOK, Neb. - Pastor Suzanne Harland, age 74, of McCook, passed away at her home in McCook on Tue., Aug. 8, 2023.

Suzanne DeNio Harland was born in McCook, Neb. on Sep. 28, 1948 to Robert Scott and Polly (DeNio) Wilkinson. She attended school in Curtis, Neb., graduating from high school in 1966. Education was very important to Suzanne, she went on to receive her Masters of Finance from Kearney State College which she used working at the family owned and operated bank in Curtis, Curtis State Bank.

Suzanne was united in marriage to Victor Schwartz and even though they would later divorce, they remained close and made sure that their children knew they were loved. Suzanne later married Dan Harland and they enjoyed many years together before deciding they would prefer to dissolve their marriage and continue on as friends.

Feeling a pull of the church, Suzanne returned to school and received certification as a Pastor in the United Church of Christ. She served the communities of Arborville, Aurora, Yutan, and most recently, Cambridge and Stockville, Neb. as a minister.

Suzanne married Richard Woolery in the church on Oct. 9, 2022 and they made McCook their home. They enjoyed each other’s company tremendously and Richard was an expert at making Suzanne smile. Suzanne was active in PEO, McCook Arts Council, and the Prairie Association of Pastors and Leaders. She loved writing and reading poetry and was a masterful storyteller. Suzanne was a talented artist and used this skill with many endeavors: remodeling homes, crocheting, and sewing. She loved making Halloween costumes for her children and later, her grandchildren. She was a master in the kitchen whether she was cooking or baking and everyone in her family will miss her often requested butterhorn rolls. She loved being surrounded by her family and close friends and will forever be remembered for spreading kindness and love wherever she went.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her ex-husband, Victor Miller Schwartz; and her sister and brother-in-law, Paula and Jerry Keller.

Survivors include her husband, Richard Woolery; sons, Scott (Karen) Schwartz and Luke (Cristy) Schwartz; daughter: Sarah Schwartz; bonus daughters: Heather Zaske, Ela Schlisner, Amanda Dabbs, and Letha Byrd; grandchildren: Jonathan Schwartz, Tyler (Shelby) Schwartz, Victor Schwartz, Elizabeth Schwartz, and Liam Zaske; brother, John (Marla) Wilkinson; and sister, Julie (Mike) Jorgensen.

Visitation is held on Tue., Aug. 15, 2023 from 10 a.m. -6 p.m. at Lockenour-Jones Mortuary in Cambridge. Suzanne’s family will greet friends from 4-6 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wed., Aug. 16, 2023 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Cambridge. Cremation will follow services and a private family inurnment will take place in the Curtis Cemetery, Curtis, Nebraska.

Memorials are suggested to the family of Suzanne Harland for future designation. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook.