Sandra Elizabeth Susmilch's Obituary
Sandra Elizabeth Susmilch passed away peacefully Thursday morning, May 29, 2025, in Owasso, Oklahoma, at the age of 87.
Born September 4, 1937, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Sandra was the daughter of Billy Wall and Naomi Wyntre (Stevens) Temples. She spent much of her childhood at her grandmother's farm, where she enjoyed caring for horses, cattle, and various farm animals alongside foster children who shared the family home. Sandra attended Greenwood Elementary and graduated from Greenwood High School as part of the Class of 1955, where she proudly served as a cheerleader for the Greenwood Frogs. She lovingly helped raise her younger twin sisters, Linda and Louise.
At a local picnic, Sandra met the love of her life, Vernon Susmilch. The couple married on May 27, 1954, when Sandra was just 16 years old, shortly before Vernon departed for a year-long deployment to Japan. Sandra finished high school while awaiting his return, and together they celebrated an extraordinary 70 years of marriage.
The couple welcomed their children Mark and Susan in Shreveport before relocating to Bunker Hill Air Force Base (later Grissom Air Force Base) in Indiana where their son, Michael was born. Their daughter, Christy was born eight years later in Peru, Indiana.
Sandra worked as a nurse's aide at Dukes Memorial Hospital in Peru, Indiana, for several years, demonstrating the caring nature that defined her character. She was also employed as a file clerk at Richardson Law Firm in Tulsa later in life.
A woman of many talents, Sandra was an accomplished pianist who could both read music and play by ear, sharing her musical gifts throughout her lifetime. She was an exceptional cook, famous for her deviled eggs with extra paprika, salmon patties, stroganoff, meatloaf, and delectable cheesecake and cookies that brought joy to family gatherings.
Sandra's faith was central to her life. She was an active member of Cedar Ridge Christian Church in Broken Arrow, where she participated in the choir and helped with Wednesday evening meals and kitchen duties. Previously, she volunteered for many years at the Bixby Outreach Center, always ready to lend a helping hand to those in need.
Her practical wisdom was captured in her favorite saying: "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." Sandra embodied thriftiness as a virtue and was known for her no-nonsense approach to life's challenges, often prescribing salt water gargles or Epsom salt soaks as her go-to remedies.
Sandra and Vernon enjoyed life on their hobby farm in Mounds, where they raised donkeys, sheep, goats, chickens, and ducks. Their grandchildren from Minnesota would spend weeks each summer at the farm, creating cherished memories. Sandra tended a vibrant flower garden filled with iris, daylilies, and bright, colorful blooms that reflected her love of beauty and nature.
A devoted crafter, Sandra created countless afghans, quilts, and cross-stitch pieces, including intricate bargello pillows. She was an avid bird watcher who participated in Audubon bird counts and maintained feeders that attracted her beloved scissortails and hummingbirds.
Above all, Sandra treasured her role as wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Sandra faithfully attended all of her children's games and was an active parent volunteer with the pep squad.
Her greatest joy came from spending time with and nurturing her growing family through the generations.
Sandra is survived by her children: Mark Susmilch (Joanne), Susan Rutherford (Charles Edward), Christy Bernal (Jose), and Michael Susmilch (Barbara Thomas); her sisters Linda Gipson (Wayne) and Louise Temples; grandchildren Justin, Madison, Caroline, Melissa, Michelle, Matthew, Reid, Emily, and Corina; great-grandchildren McKenna, Emery, Graham, Nolan, Lily, Leighton, Ryan, Hank, Malcolm, Ollie, Mabel Jane, Louie, Rilee, Reid Jr., Levi, Landon, Gentri, Hannah, and Beau; great-great-grandchildren Charley Jo and Sadie Mae; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cherished friends in the Owasso/Tulsa area.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Vernon.
A funeral ceremony celebrating Sandra's life will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in the Rivercrest Chapel of Bixby-South Tulsa Funeral Service. Viewing will begin at 10:00 AM.
Interment will take place at 1:00 PM on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in St. Paul, Minnesota.
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