Susan Kathleen Ehlen's Obituary
Susan Kathleen Ehlen, 75, of Tulsa, passed away Friday, January 30th at Saint Francis Hospital. A come-and-go celebration of life will be held from 11:00-2:00, April 11th, at her home. Please call 918-429-4045 for directions.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Animal Aid of Tulsa, 6811 E 21" St, Tulsa, 74129 and Tulsa SPCA, P.O. Box 581898, Tulsa OK 74158.
Susan was born on February 27, 1950, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Dorothy and John Ehlen.
After two significant moves, the family settled in Tulsa. Sue received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Oklahoma. While teaching at Academy Central in Gilcrease Hills, Susan attended night school at Tulsa University earning her master's degree in educational administration. She became Academy Central's assistant principal, breaking barriers as one of the first women in the state to hold this title. Once again Sue went back to school at night while working full time and earned her juris doctorate from Tulsa University. In 1985 Susan went to work for the Dept of the Interior, Office of the Field Solicitor in Tulsa. Many of those years were spent representing the Bureau of Indian Affairs for issues involving tribal lands and individually owned inherited Indian lands.
Susan never knew a stranger. Her best bike-riding buddy for years was someone with whom she had struck up a conversation while standing in the street. Susan never stopped learning even after her mind started failing. She began her mornings perusing the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Tulsa World. She especially liked reading articles related to medicine. Sue loved all things wild and purposely attracted all kinds of wildlife to her backyard. From songbirds to raccoons, possums, wild turkeys and stray kitties, all were welcome to share in the feasts she provided. She had a passion for helping those who struggled financially. Sue would meet with and counsel folks on how to create a budget and teach them realistic ways to live within their means. She carried a number of $20 bills in her wallet each day and would freely hand them out to those who were hungry and homeless. It was her wish that one day all Americans would have equal access to good healthcare, healthy food and affordable housing.
Susan is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Patty and Steve Harrison of McAlester OK, her niece, Tiffany Avila of Tucson AZ and her nephew, John Ehlen of Prescott AZ, and grand nieces Helen Avila, Iris Avila and Margaret Avila of Tucson AZ. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Dorothy Ehlen and her brother, Corey Ehlen.
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