Susan H. Wheeler

Susan H. Wheeler died on Saturday January 14. She was born on May 25, 1956, to Janet E. and A. M. Wheeler (both deceased) in Borger, TX. Susan was the third of four children. She had an older brother Thomas, an older sister Carol (deceased) and a younger sister Elizabeth.

She was an aunt to Sarah (daughter of Thomas and Betsy Wheeler) and to Andrea (daughter of Ray and Elizabeth Chao). She was a great aunt to Sky, daughter of Sarah (Wheeler) and Erik Schrader and to David and Lyla Allen, children of Andrea (Chao) and Eric Allen. Susan showed kindness, care and love to each one.

Susan graduated from Hickman High School and Columbia College, both in Columbia, MO. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts (BFA) in painting. She graduated from the University of Northern IA with a master’s in Special Education degree. Susan taught at West Middle School in Waterloo, IA and Bunger Middle School in Evansdale, IA. Both schools were in the Waterloo Community School District, where she served for 30 plus years. She taught students in a mainstreamed environment, helping all students integrate into their peer group. She included her love of art into her teaching.

When she retired, she moved to Lawrence, KS to be with family and follow her dream as a fine art photographer. She often saw beauty unseen by others. Susan was a gifted photographer and a member of the Lawrence Photography Club. She participated in Lawrence Art in the Park and recently enjoyed participating in the Art Emergency! organization. She loved capturing images in the mountains of Colorado and the North Shore of Lake Superior. She also found surprising beauty along Clinton Lake near Lawrence. She loved traveling and enjoyed trips to Alaska, Hawaii and the North Shore with close friends. Giving gifts to her nieces, great nieces and nephew was also a joy for her. She also loved her dogs. Her current dog, Arlo, survives and is with family.

Please join us for a virtual celebration of life on Zoom on March 11, 2023, at 10:30 AM CST by using the following Zoom link:

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/9449009566?pwd=EuYlrWLmyMu1Ef4FqdSDpn9cUHq1Fr.1

If you wish to do something in Susan’s memory, please donate to the Lawrence Humane Society or to the Lawrence Photography Club. Also feel free to plant a tree.