Dr. Susanne Wally Heidemann Harfst

Susanne was born December 29th, 1958 in Neckarsulm, Germany. She grew up in Mosbach, Germany and then attended University in Giessen, Germany where she studied veterinary medicine and earned her doctorate in that field with a specialty in equine medicine. Susanne married Lutz Harfst on February 25th, 1994 and soon after gave birth to her first son, Leif. In 1995, Susanne followed the love of her life to the United States where their family soon was blessed with a second son, Hauke. The family purchased a bit of land and a home in Yakima, and then began to construct their new life in the US. It was truly a dream come true for everyone involved.

Susanne prided herself on running a world class equine facility where she raised exceptional sport horses and thoroughbreds. Susanne loved all of her animals, however above all else she adored her children. She put her own personal life and career on hold in order to be the best possible mother a child could ask for. Consequently, her children never spent a day in daycare or public school. She poured her heart and soul into educating her children at home, and as a result her children have flourished academically.

Susanne enjoyed spending time on the farm with her many animals, at the horserace track, and anywhere outdoors; however her absolute favorite place to spend time was on the back of a horse. She had a knack for horses and a gentle hand that was able to tame even the most difficult of mounts. Additionally, Susanne enjoyed breeding horses and had a photographic memory for thoroughbred and warmblood pedigrees.

Susanne was an incredibly kind woman and her warm personality touched many. A few months ago, Susanne became a US citizen and participated in the presidential primary; two events that made her and her family extremely proud.

Susanne was preceded in death by her father Johann and her mother Irmgard Heidemann. Susanne is survived by her husband Dr. Lutz Harfst, surrogate father in law Dr. William Hooper, sister Annette Heidemann, brother Walter Heidemann and wife Baerbel, sons Leif and Hauke Harfst, and stepdaughter Annika Nieber.

A memorial service will be held in remembrance of this amazing woman on June 13th at 5:00PM at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Yakima.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project or a veteran focused organization of your choice; supporting our veterans was very important to her as her son currently serves in the United States Army as an officer.

To share a memory of Susanne, please visit www.keithandkeith.com