Emily Ann Suhrhoff Onken

She was a beautiful person with a beautiful soul. I loved working with Emily. She was so smart and very interactive. You could tell she wanted recovery.

Kristin Berglin

I'm so lucky that I was able to know Emily, and to grow up with her. She was always so kind and forgiving.

Gracie Wahl

Emily was always a great friend and classmate. She was kind, caring and always put others needs before her own.

Makayla Ewy and Parker Freeburg

About Emily

Emily Ann Suhrhoff Onken was born May 30, 2001 in Windom, MN. She grew up in rural Westbrook and attended Westbrook Walnut Grove Schools.

She graduated high school from P.E.A.S.E. Academy in Minneapolis, a school for kids in recovery. She attended Augsburg University, Minneapolis, participating in the Step-Up Program which provides sober living and support for students in recovery. She intended to earn a Masters in Social Work.

She also worked at Partnership Resources, an adult foster care program for developmentally disabled adults. She loved her clients and her clients loved her. She delighted in their joy.

Emily was an exceptional writer and poet. She was very intelligent and had great insight. She was a very effective communicator. Among her talents were singing, dance, speech and acting. She loved theatre. She enjoyed traveling with her family. Emily had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. She made us laugh. She made us smile. She was caring and loving, especially to those in need.

For most of her life, Emily struggled with mental illness and addiction. When in treatment and in recovery, she touched and helped many people along the way. She gave presentations to those in recovery and volunteered her time. She strived to educate and eliminate the stigma surrounding her diseases. Instead of asking for birthday gifts, she asked relatives to donate to certain causes. Emily found Christ and accepted him into her life and found comfort in Him. She attended different churches, but her favorite was Eagle Brook Church.

She was a great big sister and a loving daughter. We will miss her so much. She was destined to do great things through advocacy and service to others, but there is no cure for mental illness or addiction. They stole her from us far too soon. Emily passed away on August 4, 2022 at the age of 21.

Emily is survived by her parents, Michael Onken and Maryellen Suhrhoff, her sister Brianna, her grandparents Lyle and Kay Onken and Helen Suhrhoff, her significant other Zach Stanton, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

She is predeceased by her grandfather, Thomas Suhrhoff and great grandparents.