OBITUARY: Lora Suzan Baekkelund

Lora Suzan Baekkelund (Trotter) – beloved mother, wife and friend – died Friday, December 5th in Springfield, Tennessee, at the age of 82. Suzan was born in Detroit, Michigan, July 15th, 1943. She grew up in Grand Rapids and Traverse City prior to attending Grand Rapids Junior College.

Due to her exemplary interpersonal skills and charming and gregarious nature, Suzan excelled for 16 years as the social hostess aboard a number of different cruise ships sailing the world, including those of Royal Viking Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. While sailing, she met her Norwegian husband and love of her life, Arne Baekkelund, and they settled in South Florida. Son Christian and daughter Inga soon completed their happy family. Suzan then began a new career as the Administrative Assistant to the Lower School Principal at Pine Crest Preparatory School. She was a constant warm and compassionate presence at PC’s Fort Lauderdale campus for the next 17 years. Following the death of her husband Arne in 2008, Suzan moved with her daughter to the Historic District of Springfield, Tennessee, where she drove a school bus for special needs students throughout Robertson County. She retired in 2021.

Suzan loved gardening and was a member of the Robertson County Master Gardeners Association. A true DIY-er on many levels, Suzan was skilled at many crafts, including quilting, scrapbooking and sewing. Some of her many passions were ballet and the performing arts, camping and canoeing Florida’s Peace River, and a fierce game of backgammon. Suzan was known for her fairness, open mindedness, strong morals and values, and excellent advice. She was the definition of a true lady – a “class act.” Suzan’s caring heart, good humor and deep love for her family were apparent to all that knew her.

Suzan is survived by her son Christian Baekkelund, daughter Inga Baekkelund, half-sister Jackie Murphy, and loyal dog Lucky. She is preceded in death by her husband Arne Baekkelund.

Visitation with the family will be held from 4-6 PM on Friday, December 19th at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church at 103 7th Avenue West, Springfield, TN. The funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, December 20th at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, followed by a potluck luncheon hosted by the congregation. A private celebration of her life will be held at the family home on Saturday evening at 6 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, stlukesspringfield.org.

Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of these arrangements.