Suzanne E. Zurlinden

The unique soul we knew as Suzanne Elizabeth Zurlinden was born on November 27, 1951, in San Benito, Texas, and grew up in Harlingen, Texas. After graduating from Harlingen High School and completing two semesters at Pan American University, she married Fredric Rueter of Harlingen, and bore two children–Amanda Elizabeth Rueter in 1975, and Mathew Warren Rueter in 1979. After parting ways with Fred, Suzanne married Ronald Zurlinden in 1987 and enjoyed 37 years of marriage with him.

Early in Suzanne’s working life, she discovered an immense talent for floral design–a talent she used to bless others for the remainder of her life. At other times, Suzanne employed her beauty as a runway model and instructor for Jonay’s Modelling School, and her artistic creativity as a freelance home and holiday decorator. Throughout the years, Suzanne has aligned herself with many charitable events and organizations, including Dining by Design (benefitting the American Cancer Society), Whiskers Resale Shop (benefitting the Laguna Madre Humane Society), and P.E.O. International (providing grants, scholarships, awards and loans for women seeking higher education), as well as using her own, individual talents to bless and benefit her friends with special occasion floral arrangements, home organization, and interior decorating.

Above all else, Suzanne’s life was guided by an unwavering trust in God’s loving presence and generous promises. She believed strongly in the power of prayer and kept a nearly constant conversation with the Lord. Her faith was not only something she professed, but something she shared freely and unapologetically. Suzanne felt called to be a prayer warrior for others, and often followed God’s call to talk with strangers, discover the aching in their hearts, and pray with them on the spot. She especially loved blessing babies and small children, laying hands on them when permitted, speaking soft, loving words to them, and praying for God’s favor over their lives. Her life’s wish was to meet our Lord in Heaven and hear Him say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

After a morning spent in one of her most favorite hobbies—thrift store shopping—Suzanne Elizabeth Zurlinden passed into the welcoming presence of our Lord on December 17, 2025, at age 74. She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Eleanor Armstrong; her dear friend, Joan Dane; and her loving and devoted husband, Ronald Zurlinden.

Suzanne is survived by her brother, Russell Armstrong; her daughter and son-in-law, Amanda and Jonathan Trull; her son, Mathew Rueter; her beloved grandson, Judah Rueter; her closest friends, Marjorie Spaeth and Yvonne Payton; her honorary granddaughter, Brittany Gutierrez, and honorary great-granddaughters, Olivia and Lilah Gutierrez; and more cherished chosen family than her bio-family can keep track of. We hope that those who knew Suzanne will remember her for her generous spirit, for her steadfast and unwavering trust in God, and for the love she poured into her family and community. We pray our SuzyQ will continue to live on in the hearts of those who loved her.

The Zurlinden family will receive friends and relatives on Sunday, December 28, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A funeral service will take place on Monday, December 29, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in the funeral home chapel.  Following the service, Suzanne will be laid to rest at Mont Meta Memorial Park Mausoleum.