Susan "Sue" Henricksen

Susan Henricksen ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Curnow Funeral Home & Cremation Service - Sumner on Mar. 10, 2026.Susan Rose Henricksen, aged 72 years old, passed away on February 4th, 2026. She was born on September 24th, 1953 in Albany, New York, to Frank Thaddeus Maziarski and Viola Helme Rundberg. She was part of the first graduating class of Puyallup Rogers High School in 1971. This is where she met her High School sweetheart, Robert Alan Henricksen, whom she later married and stayed with until the day he passed in 2018. Susan's biggest passions were spending time with family and friends including going on annual vacations, spoiling her grandchildren and "grand-doggies" endlessly and of course advocating for her WFSE/AFSCME Union brothers and sisters since starting membership in 1982.Susan dedicated more than four decades to public service and union leadership. First, starting as an occupational therapy aide (later certified) at Buckley's Rainier State School providing adults with developmental disabilities any medical and therapeutic services in order to live a comfortable, enriching life. Next, she transitioned into Tacoma's DSHS Division as a case manager doing similar responsibilities where her commitment was ensuring clients received medical and food assistance as needed. Then, Susan's continuing devotion to being an active shop steward led her to new leadership opportunities within the Union. She served terms as Vice President and President with WFSE Local 53. And lastly, she was a WFSE/AFSCME Council 28 Executive Board member voted in as Vice President and Council President.Susan left a lasting legacy, influencing positive changes and movements across the Union world. She fought tirelessly for worker's rights and voiced that her door was always open for conversation. She spent countless weekends traveling for meetings and late evenings on phone with Union members. That is how dedicated and determined she was to help her fellow brothers and sisters, always willing to give her time to those in need no matter the time of day.Susan's pinnacle moments in life include her marriage to High School sweetheart, Robert Henricksen; the birth of her two children and three grandchildren; her son's marriage to Jessica Hughes in Maui, Hawaii; watching the Seattle Seahawks win the NFC Championship Game in 2014 football season while on a Caribbean vacation with family and friend; holding leadership positions and making positive impacts in Union; and also of course her personally meeting and talking with President Barack Obama.In addition to her parents, Susan was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Henricksen and brother Frank Maziarski. She is survived by her children, Chad (Jessica) and Christina Henricksen. She is also survived by siblings, Jeffrey Maziarski, Kathy Seiffert and Deborah Olson; and her grandchildren, Alivia, Sophia and Carson Henricksen.She leaves behind special, close friends Susan Peterson and Carol Dotlich who were involved in many shenanigans full of laughter and memorable moments. These kinds of friendships are rare and she was grateful to have such supportive, fun friends.Susan will forever be remembered as a fearless leader, an inspirational mentor, and a strong advocate/leader for worker's rights. She was also one of the biggest Seattle Seahawks fans out there and shouted with enthusiasm during every game played. But most importantly, she will be remembered as a loving wife, a compassionate, protective mother, and a grandmother that "loves you more" than ever.The dates and times for the funeral service and celebration of life are still to be determined. Family and friends will be notified when they are confirmed for both events.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.