Frances Suhr

Frances "Fran" Louise Suhr, age 88, of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2026. She was born on April 6, 1938, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo to Pearce Conrad Sischo and Frances Elizabeth Sischo.

Fran considered herself fortunate to have lived a life filled with more laughter than sadness, surrounded by the love of her family and friends.

She graduated from Portage Central High School in 1956. She married Robert Gene Harding Sr., and together they welcomed two sons, Robert Gene Harding Jr. and Danny Sischo Harding. Following their divorce, Fran embarked on a successful professional modeling career that took her to New York, California, and Chicago. During the 1960s, she became one of Chicago's top ten models, a success she modestly attributed to simply "being in the right place at the right time."

Eventually, Fran returned to Kalamazoo, where life led her down new paths. In 1970, she married the love of her life, Stephen Eugene Suhr, and embraced the role of stepmother to Kevin, Kyle, and Kristopher Suhr. They shared 42 wonderful years of marriage until Stephen's passing.

Many in the Kalamazoo area remember Fran by her professional name, Fran Harding, as the host of Channel Three Clubhouse and The Accent Show. Throughout her career, she also worked at Jacobson's Apparel Store and The Store for the Home before joining Hudson's at the Estée Lauder counter. Later, she began a career with The Upjohn Company, where she worked in over-the-counter products phone sales before becoming an over-the-counter cooperative advertising clerk, retiring in the late 1990s. After retirement, she became Stephen's assistant in his retail real estate business with RE/MAX Advantage. Following his death, she renewed her real estate license and proudly continued the business they had built together.

Above all else, Fran treasured her family. Her greatest joy came from her sons and daughters-in-law, her cherished grandchildren, and Stephen's great-grandchildren. She shared an especially close bond with her beloved sister, Gail, and Gail's husband, Arlen VandenBos, as well as their children and grandchildren.

Fran loved bringing people together around the table, preparing meals for family gatherings and celebrating life's special occasions. She enjoyed music and had a deep compassion for animals, opening her home to many neglected and abandoned pets who found love, care, and a second chance with the Suhr family.

Fran often reflected with gratitude on the many blessings of her life. She was thankful for a lifetime filled with love, good fortune, and unforgettable experiences. She considered it one of her greatest honors to have been Stephen Suhr's wife, the mother of Bob and Dan, and stepmother to Kevin, Kyle, and Kris.

With her trademark sense of humor, Fran affectionately referred to herself as Dan and Sheri's "old lady," often joking, "If you have to be an old lady, you want to be Sheri's old lady." She was deeply appreciative of the unwavering love and support her family gave her throughout her life, always stepping in to help without hesitation or reservation.

A celebration of Fran's life will be held at Langeland Family Funeral Home 3926 S. 9th St. Kalamazoo, MI 49009 on Friday, July 31. Visitation will begin at 10, the service at 11 and a luncheon to follow at the funeral home.

Please visit Fran's obituary webpage to share condolences and memories with her family at https://www.Langelands.com