MARGARET ANN SUCKUT
June 7, 1933 – January 8, 2024
Margaret Ann (Maggie, Mimo) Suckut went to be with the Lord on January 8, 2024 in Casper, Wyoming, where she had lived with her daughter Kelly and son-in-law Ray Clanton since May. Maggie was born in Atlantic, Iowa on June 7, 1933 to William and Emma Thielen. Maggie's mother always encouraged her to pursue her dream of moving to California, and after her mother's death in 1955 when Maggie was only 21, she moved to Long Beach, CA to become a singer and model. She took her civil servant's test and worked for the Long Beach Board of Education, enjoying modeling in her spare time. One of her favorite memories was representing the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce in the Miss Universe parade.
Maggie met her soulmate, Albert Suckut, on a blind date in the fall of 1958. Her roommate insisted she go out on a Thursday night double-date with some farmers from Bakersfield who were in town for the harness races. Maggie didn't want to go but finally agreed. Maggie was supposed to be the date for the other farmer, Louie Caric, but she and Al arrived first. They were immediately smitten. After a four-month whirlwind romance, Maggie married Al in March of 1959 and moved to Bakersfield. Soon after, daughter Kelly and son Curtis were born.
Maggie loved being a mother and being home with her children. She settled into being the wife of a farmer which included some interesting escapades. One morning Al called and asked her to go to the pound and get a gunny sack full of cats to kill the rattlesnakes at the ranch. Maggie did so and drove all the way to Buttonwillow with a gunny sack of crying, fighting cats in the trunk. Another day in the middle of cotton harvest, Al called to say his foreman was sick, and to please drive to the ranch. Maggie got there with two kids, ages three and one, and to her horror was asked to drive a truck with two huge cotton trailers attached all the way to the gin. The truck was up on a canal bank. Maggie bravely drove all the way to the gin, kids in tow, remembering Al's instructions not to use the brakes if possible.
After her children were older, Maggie worked part-time for Manpower and at Channel 17, and then in 1976 went to work as Jim Burke Ford's first female salesperson, achieving the top sales award a number of times. Maggie was a natural as she loved people and truly enjoyed helping them. On her top production day, Maggie sold five cars and took in three trades. In 1980 Maggie moved to Gene Winer, where she enjoyed selling Cadillacs for a number of years.
Maggie's main interest, however, was her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchild. She was famous for being at every event with bells on, so much so that the family called her “where's Waldo”. She was supportive, generous, fun, kind, up for anything...an amazing mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved hanging out by the rock in Morro Bay, soft-serve cone in hand, watching the waves. She was also unafraid to break out dancing in front of anyone, anywhere, sharing her faith with strangers and handing out random $20 bills to hardworking people.
According to Maggie, her top life event was when she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior at a women's retreat at Hume Lake in May of 1986. Maggie's life changed as she had more peace, more joy, less fear, and the assurance she would be in heaven someday. Maggie joined Valley Baptist Church, where she adored her pastor, Roger Spradlin, and sang in the choir, often making her choir mates crack up laughing in the middle of practice.
Maggie's hardest life event was when she lost her beautiful son Curtis in 2012. Curtis had been battling bipolar depression for some time and his loss broke Maggie's heart. She always said it was because of her faith in Jesus that she was able to go on and even have joy after Curtis' death.
Maggie is survived by her daughter Kelly Clanton (Ray); grandchildren Ryan (Erin) Clanton, Lisabeth (Kolby) Magee, and Isabella Clanton; as well as her great-grandchild Wade Magee. Other survivors include her beloved sisters Donna Hockom and Jeanette Lang and numerous family members. Maggie was preceded in death by her husband Al and son Curtis.
Pallbearers include Ray Clanton, Ryan Clanton, Kolby Magee, Nick Sukut, Sam Sukut, and Parker Roski. Honorary pallbearers include James Clanton, Wayne Knittel, Dennis Knittel, Chuck Sukut, Kurt Nielsen, Rick Lyon, Darrell Larson, Kenny Johnson and Jeff Stewart.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 10 am at Shafter Memorial Park Cemetery, 18662 Santa Fe Way, Shafter, CA, 93263, followed by a reception at the family horse ranch. No visitation is scheduled.
Donations in Maggie's honor can be made to Valley Baptist Church music department at 4800 Fruitvale Ave, Bakersfield, 93308, or NAMI, or the charity of your choice.