Suzanne Artz

Suzanne Artz, 87, of La Grange, died Wednesday, March 21, 2018. Suzanne was born in Oak Park, Ill. on Dec. 3, 1930, the daughter of Robert Adams Wallace and Margaret Louise (Lewis) Wallace. She married Alfred J. Artz, Jr. on Jan. 28, 1950 in Houston—a happy union that lasted until his death in 2014. By the time she graduated high school, her family had moved many times—to Yonkers, NY, to Toledo, Ohio, back to Oak Park, then to Dallas and Houston. She attended Highland Park High School in Dallas and graduated from Lamar High School in Houston. When living in Dallas, she often went to the neighborhood school’s football games with her father and developed a lifelong love of the sport. Appropriately, she met Alfred Artz on a blind date at a high school football game. She attended SMU and the University of Houston but left school to marry Alfred in 1950. Suzanne and Alfred raised four children in Houston but spent many weekends enjoying and working hard at their ranch outside of La Grange, where they happily moved after Alfred retired in the late 1980s. Their lives quickly became a whirlwind of great friends, volunteering, travel, and being part of the community at St. James Episcopal Church. They explored Europe, Mexico, and visited all 50 states and she served the community as a member of the St. James Episcopal Church Altar Guild, a volunteer at St. Mark’s Medical Center, a docent at Monument Hill State Park, a member of the La Grange Garden Club, and a volunteer in the La Grange schools. She lived fully, with joy and grace, and viewed life as a great adventure. Suzanne will be deeply missed by her family and friends, but may her legacy be that we all live more like her. She is survived by a daughter, Margaret Harrist of Austin; three sons: Andrew Artz and wife, Susan, of Austin; Charles Artz and wife, Julie, of Houston; and Thomas Artz and wife, Delia, of Houston; a brother, Robert Wallace and wife, Jackie, of Dallas; ten grandchildren: Charles Artz and wife Sonya; T.J. Artz and wife Katie; Brian Artz and wife Katie; Elaine Anderson and husband Aaron; Stephanie Polichnia and husband Mark; Alan Artz and wife Dana; Mae Albert and husband Kyle; Allison Lauderdale and husband Ryan; Alanna Harrist; and Mark Harrist. She leaves nine great grandchildren: Hunter, Jackson, Myles, Andrew, Benjamin, Everett, Elianna, Charlee Mae, and August and was looking forward to welcoming three more this year. A memorial service will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, 156 N. Monroe, La Grange, Texas at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, 2018. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to two of the organizations that Suzanne so actively supported: St. James Episcopal Church Endowment Fund and St. Mark’s Medical Center Foundation (www.smmctxfoundation.org or 1 Saint Marks Place #110, La Grange, Texas 78945). While the family has countless memories of Suzanne as a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, they also ask for her many friends to share their special memories. Paper will be provided at the reception after the memorial, or please send your stories to St. James Episcopal Church or to mharrist@gmail.com. Family and friends can view and sign the guestbook online at www.lagrangefunerals.com. Koenig & Strickland Funeral Home in La Grange is in charge of arrangements.