On November 7, 2022, Suzuyo “Suzy” Wenger (née Hongo), devoted wife and beloved mother, peacefully passed away at the age of 96. Suzy was born on March 31, 1926, in Sendai, Japan, to her parents Kokichi and Nobu Hongo. She met her future husband, Donald C. Wenger, while he was stationed with the U.S. Army at Camp Matsushima and they were married on January 8, 1954, in Sapporo, Japan. They returned to America in July 1956, and a year later welcomed their daughter Karen at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Suzy was very proud when she was granted US Citizenship on December 10, 1959.

Suzy learned the English language and American cooking while working for an Army colonel in Japan, and she later worked at the Fort Leavenworth PX. After she retired, she enjoyed being the host mother for families of Fort Leavenworth Japanese liaison officers, sewing, being a “good cooker!,” playing canasta, bowling, and ceramics. And, boy, did she have a green thumb that bloomed an explosion of colorful flowers every spring. She is survived by her husband, Donald, of Lansing, Kan., her daughter Karen (and husband Steve Briggs) of California, her grandchildren, Amy and Joe Gorman of New York; her former son-in-law, Bryan Gorman of Tennessee and two sisters Yukiko and Toshiko of Sendai, Japan. In lieu of flowers, friends and family are welcome to send a donation in Suzy’s name to the charity of their choice or to Kimochi, Inc., 1715 Buchanan Street, San Francisco, CA 94115.

Arrangements entrusted to Davis Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be left on Suzy’s online guestbook at www.davisfuneralchapelinc.com.