Jane Gompf Sutermeister, 63 years young, a proud resident of horse country, Bluemont, Virginia, was called to heaven on April 3, 2018. It’s rare to find a person who crossed paths with our beloved wife, mother, “nene”, daughter, sister, aunt, nurse, teacher, counsellor, and friend, who wasn’t touched by her spirit and outlook on life. Jane always said it was a good day when she got to hug a baby, ride a horse, and eat chocolate…dark chocolate, even better.
We’re goin’ on a bear hunt, we’re goin’ to catch a big one, I’m not scared, what a beautiful day…born June 14, 1954 in Austin, Minnesota, this world caught a big one – a Grande one at that. Born to, and proceeded in death by, William Coolidge Gompf (Father) of Fargo, North Dakota, Glendora Loew Gompf Kleppe (Mother) originally of Holland, Michigan, and Thomas Kleppe (Adopted step-father) originally of Kintyre, North Dakota, Jane lived a full life, full of fun and carefree adventures, living without fear or regrets, and mirrored her favorite children’s book, We’re Goin’ on a Bear Hunt. She made sure this book was a part of all her “little people’s” lives and encouraged the adventure of life!
Grass! Long wavy grass. We can't go over it. We can't go under it. We've got to go through it! Like the long wavy grass, Jane grew tenaciously with perseverance and willpower. She was grounded and rooted in her faith and humble beginnings. She was a fighter even as a child and grew back stronger and more vibrant when faced with life’s challenges. From Minnesota she moved to North Dakota, then to Bethesda, Maryland where she met her future husband, Richard Sutermeister in 1971, and graduated from Walter Johnson High School in 1972. As grass doesn’t grow alone, alongside the love of her life, she too would grow.
A river! A deep cold river. We can't go over it. We can't go under it. We've got to go through it! Love, like a river, neverending as it flows, only getting greater with time. Jane met Rick while singing the Lord’s praise in a youth choir at Christ Lutheran Church. Their shared beliefs and love of music overflowed and swept them towards the beginning of a lifelong romance. After meeting Rick, Jane went off to Northfield, Minnesota to attend St. Olaf College, but she quickly changed course and returned to Maryland where they wed in 1974. An overflowing river quickly gathers mud.
Mud-Thick oozy mud. We can't go over it. We can't go under it. We've got to go through it! We sit in the mud and reach for the stars – Jane certainly reached for the stars earning her Bachelor’s degree in Science and Nursing from American University in 1976, becoming a Registered Nurse. She wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty during her accomplished career, which included pediatric nursing, emergency medicine, and member of the Childbirth Education Association teaching childbirth and Lamaze classes. In 1989, Jane reached beyond the stars earning her Master’s degree in Education from George Mason University, followed by a career in mental health and counselling, as well as adjunct faculty for Shenandoah University. Her greatest accomplishments in her career surrounded her work with survivors of incest, writing and publishing an article in Treating Abuse Today. She often led group counseling sessions for unwed mothers, while working as a psychiatric registered nurse until her retirement in 2012. The mud will wash off but the memories will last a lifetime.
A forest! A big dark forest. We can't go over it. We can't go under it. We've got to go through it! Family is like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions, yet our roots remain as one. Jane’s family tree would grow to include Richard Sutermeister (husband of almost 44 years), Andrew Sutermeister (elder son) and Matthew Sutermeister (younger son) alongside his wife Talesha Sutermeister and three grandchildren, Victorria, Paisley, and Madden. Jane is also survived by two sisters, Janis Cunningham (Jerry), Jill McClelland (Scott), brother, Thomas Kleppe (Ileana), Sisters-and-brothers-in-law, Louise Richards (John), Charles Sutermeister (Gracia), Kim Bentley (Charles), 15 nieces and nephews to include Kirk Cunningham (Tammie), Brett Cunningham (Edna), Julie Barton (Jason), Kara Smith (Stanton), Tom Kleppe (Kim), Kailyn Kleppe, Haley McClelland, Jack McClelland, Jay McClelland, Heather Sargent, Derek Sutermeister (Gia), Daniel Sutermeister (Laurie), Katherine Bentley (William), David Bentley, Kimberly Julia (Marc), as well as 19 grandnieces and grandnephews. Also survived by her faithful companions and numerous friends, horses (Teddy, Jet, Skip, and Al), dogs (Bailey and Kahlua), guinea pig (Fiona,) and one barn cat (Pearl). Jane’s love for her family was unparalleled. She was a faithful and devoted wife, protector of all protectors of mothers– nothing compared to a hug from her boys. One of her greatest joys of life was being a dedicated and involved grandmother, never missing a milestone or important moment, making time for snuggles and hugs. Being a grandmother came naturally after years of being the best “crazy Aunt Jane.” She also enjoyed every moment spent with her farm boys (Jack and Jay), who held special places in her heart, alongside her sisters Jill and Janis, friends, and family.
A snowstorm! A swirling whirling snowstorm. We can't go over it. We can't go under it. We've got to go through it! Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain. After moving to Bluemont, her happy place, she fulfilled her childhood dream of once again sharing a home and land with her horses. Her social life was a whirling dervish of parties, riding with friends- especially her country sister, Kim Yager – whom she loved dearly -- and attending or hosting get togethers – sometimes all in one day. She was the life of the party, befriending all who crossed her path. She was dedicated to her community and volunteered much of her time through fostering, offering her home to unwed homeless mothers, volunteering her home as the hospitality host for church missionary efforts, volunteering time with Loudoun Breast Health Network- assisting with the fashion show, teaching other breast cancer fighters how to tie head scarves, participating in the Ride for The Cure, volunteering at the Bluemont Fair, adopting dogs in need of rescue (No outfit is complete without a little dog hair), organizing Christmas cookie donations to Bluemont land owners as the “President and Founding Member” of the Foggy Bottom Ladies Equestrian Society a.k.a. FaBuLES, stealth mowing for trail upkeep, and worked 1:1 with other survivors of breast cancer to help them through their darkest days.
A cave! A narrow gloomy cave. We can't go over it. We can't go under it. We've got to go through it! WHAT’S THAT! One shiny wet nose! Two big furry ears! Two big googly eyes! IT’S A BEAR! You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. Jane looked that bear in the eyes and never backed down! She often said, “I’m not dying of cancer, I’m living with it.” She ferociously fought her cancer with her 3 A’s – Advil, Acupuncture, and Alcohol! Through her faith and the love and support of her family and friends, her battle was not lost, but won by the way she lived her life to the fullest, the love she shared, and the eternal reward she reached in heaven.
Quick! Back through the cave! Back through the snow storm! Back through the forest! Back through the mud! Back through the river! Back through the grass! Get to our front door. Open the door. Up the stairs, Oh no! Rest in Heavenly Peace, our sweet Calamity Jane!
There will be a celebration of life, Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 1:00pm at Halls Funeral Home, 140 S. Nursery Ave, Purcellville, Virginia 20134, followed by a procession to Ebenezer Cemetery, concluded with a reception at Moonshadow Farm, 19545 Foggy Bottom Rd, Bluemont, Virginia 20135.
Donation to Loudoun Breast Health Network are welcomed. www.lbhn.org
Jane, your family and friends thank you for the smiles and good times. We hope you have found the peace, love and strength you shared with so many. “We love you more every day!” We’re Goin’ on a Bear Hunt, by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury.
John (Jack) Lash
Jane and I were dear friends and I look forward to seeing her again.
Sally Avedikian (Embree)
I had a very profound and unusual connection with Jane. When she came to KJH, she was a very conservative Republican-in-the-making, and I was about as radical left as a gal can get. We sat next to each other in chemistry class (Mr. Levindowski?), and she would occasionally blurt out things that indicated a very different perspective from my own. (In reference to the fact that there were a handful of POC at KJH, "When I came here it just looked like a zoo!" I don't mean to disparage her for this quote, she was just so innocent and candid.)
On any given topic, I would very diplomatically suggest that she consider some other factors, and although our discussions were always polite and amicable, I assumed that she considered me a wild-eyed commie and didn't give that much thought to the things I said.
Boy, was I wrong! I was deeply touched when she signed my 9th grade yearbook, and wrote, "Enjoyed and learned so much from our discussions, it has really changed my perspective."
Even so, it wasn't until our 30th WJ Reunion that I realized just how much our talks had meant to her, and therefore, to me. I heard that Jane had devoted her life to some very progressive causes, always coming from the heart.
I had always hoped that someday we would see each other again, so I could tell her just how moved I was by her honesty and courage. No doubt those open discussions, devoid of judgment or animosity, contributed to my understanding of conservative views, many of which I now find I share.
Fly with the angels, Jane. In our own unique way, we loved each other.