Susan (Sue) Irene Scarbrough, 97, died on Wednesday, April 1, at Amberwell Hospital in Hiawatha, KS.
She was born on January 11, 1929, in Hiawatha, to Charles Lester and Mae Louise (Lehman) Nelson. She was the youngest of three sisters (Katie and Esther) and lived her entire life in Hiawatha. She enjoyed growing up on the family farm south of the Hiawatha Community Lake, taking care of the animals and stray cats. She attended country school and graduated from Hiawatha High School in 1946.
She met her husband Clarence Delbert Scarbrough in high school, though they did not date until later. They were married on October 5, 1952, at Trinity United Methodist Church. They raised four children – the four K’s – Kent, Kirk, Kay and Kole.
She was a lifelong member of the Trinity United Methodist Church, where she directed the choir and led singing (since high school until the church’s closing) and sang at many funerals.
Susan worked at H.O. Middlebrook’s Golden Rule Store and then at Morrill & Janes Bank and Trust Co, starting as a teller and retiring as a vice president.
She enjoyed playing card and board games, holding annual family parties on the 4th of July (complete with barbecued chicken and fireworks) and many pool parties for family and friends, and traveling. She fondly remembered taking a road trip with girlfriends to California (before they were old enough to do so). She arranged trips for her family through 47 states when the kids were young. Later, she toured Europe with her husband and son (while he was working in London for a year), celebrated her daughter’s ordination with a hot-air ballon ride in Arizona, and then cruised to the Caribbean for her 40th anniversary.
Susan was able to live in the home that she built with her husband until her death, thanks to good neighbors, especially Staci Campbell.
Susan was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, and husband. She is survived by her children: Kent (Donna) Scarbrough of Austin, TX, Kirk (Kerri) Scarbrough of Woodinville, WA, Kay Scarbrough of Hiawatha, KS, and Kole (Terryl) Scarbrough of Lenexa, KS; four grandchildren: Ryan (Bridget), Kevin, Colin and Sara; two great-grandchildren: Elizabeth and Henry; sister-in-law: Dona Rake; and her nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 11 at 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church, Hiawatha, with burial following in Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitation will precede the service at 10:00 AM.
The family suggests memorial gifts to the First United Methodist Church, Hiawatha, or to the church/cause of your choice, sent in care of Chapel Oaks FH, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.
Friends may sign the register book starting Wednesday at funeral home during office hours.
www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com
