Susie grew up in Grant, NE and attended Perkins County High School. She received a Bachelor of Church Music degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University where she studied organ with C. W. Tritt. She later attended UNK. She began playing church music at age 13 in the Grant United Methodist Church and continued using her keyboard skills throughout her life. She married Robert Cook in 1970.
Susie taught vocal and instrumental music in Southwestern Nebraska and several Lincoln Public Schools, retiring from Pound Middle School in 2011. She also served as organist and pianist at Saint Paul United Methodist Church, Southview Christian Church, First United Methodist Church, and was an accompanist for the Lincoln Senior Choir and many small musical groups. Susie also served at churches in Ogallala, North Platte, Grand Island, Fort Riley, KS and her home church in Grant prior to relocating in Lincoln. She began the study of harp upon retirement from teaching and was pursuing skills in the practice of Harp Therapy. She played recorder in the Musica Antiqua recorder consort at many musical and social events.
She was a member of Saint Paul United Methodist Church, American Guild of Organists, PEO Chapter EE, Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Fraternity, and was a Past Grand Worthy Advisor of The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.
Family members include her husband Robert “Bob” of Lincoln; son Donald (April) Cook, Henderson, NV; daughter Stephanie Nelson (Chip Shield), Lincoln. Grandchildren Camryn Nelson, Amanda, Eliana, and Andrew Cook. Preceded in death by her parents.
Celebration of Life Service: 2:00 pm, Wednesday March 12 at Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church, 8550 Pioneers Blvd, Lincoln, NE.
Memorials to: Music Ministry at Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church