Harlee H. Suttner, age 73, of New Holstein, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, December 1, 2016, surrounded by his family at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Appleton. He was born April 17, 1943, in St. Anna to the late Herbert & Rosetta (Meyer) Suttner. Harlee attended Holy Rosary Grade School and graduated from New Holstein High School in 1961. On July 15, 1961, he married Shirley Sturtz at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in New Holstein. In 1966, he received the Open State Champ Golden Gloves Boxing award. He was a charter member of establishing the New Holstein Jaycee's; he served as the first president of the club. He was a member of the New Holstein Police Reserves. Harlee was elected to the New Holstein City Council in 1970 at age 27; at that time, he was the youngest person to be elected to the council. Harlee had various jobs earlier in his working days. He worked at A. T. Hipke Canning Co. in New Holstein, Marc's Big Boy in Milwaukee, Holiday Old's in Fond du Lac, Rueping Leather Co. in Fond du Lac, Aluminum Specialty, Knauf & Tesch (now known as Kaytee Products) in Chilton and had managed a farm for Earl Hildebrandt. From 1969-1973, he owned Harlee's Drive-In and from 1971-1983, he owned the Altona Supper Club. For the past 26 years, he has been an over the road truck driver. Harlee is survived by his six children, Jeffrey (Therese) Suttner of New Holstein, Shelly (Leon) Nadler of Kiel, Brenda (Dennis) DeKuiper of Traverse City, MI, Sherry Buechel of New Holstein, Connie (Pat) Hess of Morganton, NC and John (Denyse) Suttner of Oconomowoc; his special friends, Jeffery Clark of Franklin, Anne Marie Miller of San Diego, CA and Rosezella "Rose" Viree Short of Columbia, MO; 20 grandchildren, Leta Lee (Alan) Becker, Brianna Suttner (Fiance', Brad Heusterbirg), Shane Suttner and his special friend, Casey, Christopher Nadler and his special Rachel, Shana (Dmitri) Vande Zande, Ryan Nadler and his special friend, Amanda, Cassidy DeKuiper, Samuel DeKuiper, Derek Buechel and his special friend, Lauren, Tara (Zach) Lefeber, Brooke Buechel (Fiance', Nate Werdin), Ashley Hess, Nicholas Hess and his special friend, Jade, Amber Hess, Myles Hess, Chelsea Suttner (Fiance', Austin Adair), Sklyar Suttner, J. Gavin Suttner, Jeffery Clark and Gavin Clark; four great-grandchildren with three more soon to be born; his sister, JoAnn (Lee) Schneider of New Holstein; his brother, Lonald (Pat) Suttner of Cape Coral, FL; his foster brother, Alvin Hopfensperger of Appleton; his aunt and godmother, Erna Thiedeman of New Holstein and his aunt, Janet Meyer Steinmetz (Nick Steinmetz) of Chilton; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, Herbert & Rosetta Suttner; his son, Jessie and his son-in-law, Lee Buechel. Visitation: Family and friends may call at the Sippel Funeral Home, 2618 Altona Avenue New Holstein, WI 53061 on Thursday, December 8, 2016 from 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM. The family would like to extend an invitation to join them for a reception at the Altona following the visitation. For additional information, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in New Holstein, (920) 898-4300 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net A Reading for Dad/Grandpa Harlee: Yesterday there suddenly was one less person in my earthly family. A man I considered passionate about things he believed, acted intentionally, and despite having no higher education was eloquent with his words and a man who knew more about history than I ever will. I will miss the birthday cards that came without fail every year and the jokes that almost always caught me off guard and were followed with an unmistakable laugh—more of a chuckle. He marched to the beat of his own drum and never felt bad about it. He was a mighty oak, withstanding many storms yet remaining deeply rooted. Though his leaf has now withered, his seed still remains within us that are left behind grieving. To my family: though I am not with you, I grieve the loss all the same. Death leaves a heart-piercing sting yet causes us to think on the life still to come—hopefully changing us and turning us toward the only Father that will not leave us—God Himself. Grandpa (Harlee Suttner), you will be missed  Written by Harlee's Granddaughter: Leta Lee Becker