Welcome to our page! We're happy to have
you with us. If you haven't been able to tell so far, about the most
important thing in our lives is our religion and our children. Both
bring us so much joy and happiness - especially our grandsons,
Braeden
and Tyce. But first, a
little about us.
Suzanne was born in Portland, OR, to Leslie Eraut (Powell) and Doug Webb. her siblings include one brother (Kim, living in Sedona, AZ) and two sisters (Laureen in Reno, NV, and Maree in Verdi, NV). Both of her parents are still residing in Sparks/Reno, NV.
One of the most important events in Suzanne's
life was at age 17, when she decided to become a member of The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Though her decision began with
the tragic loss of her grandfather Eraut to cancer, the difference this
single decision has made in her life is immeasurable, and she calls it
the BEST decision she has ever made in her life.
Russ was born in Las Vegas, NV, while his father, Bryce, was in the service for World War II. He has one brother, Ron, in Elko,NV. During the course of his college schooling, Russ took two years to serve a church mission to the then Canadian Mission (now Toronto East), and another year of active service in the Vietnam War.
Suzanne met Russ at the University
of Nevada Reno. She was a Freshman Speech/Drama student while
he was a Graduate Student working on his Masters in Business Administration.
Russ was descended from a long line of LDS members going back to beginning
in Nauvoo & Kirtland. They were married in the Manti Temple on
23 October 1970. Suzanne calls it the second best decision she ever
made in her life. They soon discovered how different they were -
Suzanne: outgoing, love parties, hate camping and fishing; Russ:
quiet, homebody, loves camping and fishing. But, they loved each
other, and this marriage was destined to last forever.
Russ soon finished school, and Kevin was born 14 September 1972. They moved in November to Boise and Russ got a job with the Veteran's Administration as a Personnel trainee. They lived there 10 months, and then moved to Helena, Montana in September 1971. (Kevin spent his first birthday in a motel!), and Russ got a permanent job in the Personnel Department.
Tamsen was born 21 March 1975 in Helena
and by October we were transferred to Miles City, Montana (the literal
end of the world with one TV station, one radio station (only cowboy music),
no Maternity clothing stores, well, you get the idea.) Russ was now
the Personnel Chief there. We helped build the first LDS chapel there (we
used to meet in a house). We built our own house there. Suzanne
soon became so bored that she painted the stair walls weird colors (this
was the mid-70's, mind you)! They both held 3 or 4 callings (positions)
in the Church each. Suzanne nearly went crazy due to it snowing 9
months of the year and then going to one month of mud, then one month of
steaming hot, and one month of burning hot!
By 1977, they had been transferred to Walla
Walla, Washington (yes, there is a Walla Walla - not just in the cartoons!)
where Dad was the Personnel Assistant. That's where we first met
Ryan Petterson (one of Kevin's best friends) - who later became our Foster
Son. Suzanne soon made herself busy by organizing the summer enrichment
programs for LDS kids there (like a summer camp without going away to camp).
She was also ward Young Women's President for the 9th time there, taught
home birthing classes and Bradley childbirth classes between and after
the births of their next two daughters: Emily on 04 December 1977 and Megan
on 08 March 1980. Both were born at home with a midwife - Russ was
able to "catch."
In 1985 Suzanne was chosen National Young Mother
of the Year in New York at the Annual Convention of the American
Mother's Association. (the official sponsors of Mother's Day.)
It was a rare and wonderful honor that thrust her into the speaking profession
while at the same time raising the family.
Since 1985, Suzanne has been a Professional Speaker for Church and School functions around the country and world. She has done this while being a full-time mom, so has only been a part-time speaker. Her first responsibility has been to raise her family. She has spoken in Russia for a Youth to Youth exchange on a cruise ship down the Volga River and was able to take all three daughters with her. She has spoken in Ireland for a genealogical gathering. She has spoken for Especially For Youth (EFY), a Brigham Young University summer program for teenagers. She has directed EFY sessions and spoken to as many as 1200 teenagers at a time. She has spoken from Virginia to Texas to Alaska to California. She has also been a Church Education System Early Morning Volunteer Seminary teacher for 7 years in Vancouver Washington...teaching 20-25 high school Sophomores LDS religion and scriptures every morning at 6 AM!
During our time in Vancouver
(we moved here in 1986) we have had two children marry in the Temple (our
foster son, Ryan Petterson to Sara DeLaMare - and our oldest daughter,
Tamsen to Todd Boley.) Our oldest Son served an honorable mission
to Brazil and now teaches at the MTC. We are MOST blessed!
Braeden is the light of our life....it is so much fun to be a Grandparent
- except it's the pits doing it from 800 miles away!!!! Why'd they
all have to marry Utah spouses?
firesides occasionally. They opened a Jamba Juice - the first in
Washington State - in Vancouver. Now they are business owners of
a Jamba Juice franchise which opened in July 1998. They are loving
the challenge and working with the teenage crew is right up mom's
alley. Dad can use his Master's Degree finally, and we are finally
out of government service!
The
only bad thing is that we can't get away to visit Braeden or Tyce as often
as we would want just yet. Our goals: get out of debt for the
business, help our children, and go on an LDS mission in 10 years together.
(A Church Education Mission - teaching Seminary!) Once again, the 
most
important things in our lives are: 1st - the restored gospel of Jesus Christ,
and 2nd - our family.
Other side passions and callings Russ and Suzanne have include genealogy (searching out family histories), Suzanne is the Family History Specialist in their local church area, and Russ is the first counselor in High Priests Quorum Presidency (a men's organization within the church). In fact, in March of 1997 Suzanne, Russ and their son, Kevin, had a rare opportunity of going to Ireland (homeland of Suzanne's ancestors) and do some on-site family history searching. Through a series of miracles/coincidences, they were able to trace her family back an entire SEVEN generations - a blessing for which they all are still giving thanks. Since Suzanne is the only member of the LDS church in her family she feel a special responsibility, or push, to trace her ancestry back as far as she possibly can. In fact, here are some links to some GREAT web sites containing genealogical "how-to's" and information, including the LDS Church web site below. Feel free to visit them all - see how far back you can take your family!!!
Click
here if you'd like to write Suzanne
and exchange information/questions about genealogy.
Back to the family.
Mom and Dad's Family:
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