Barbara "Susie" Sue Brendelson

Barbara Sue “Susie” Brendelson, age 82, of Shawnee, Oklahoma, passed away on Sunday, July 28, 2024. She was born on September 28, 1941 to Carl and Laura Maisch. She went to Westport High School in Kansas City, Missouri and in 1969 she moved to Wisconsin with her first husband and her son, Jeffrey Dzibinksi. She later was remarried to Earl Brendelson, to whom she was married until his death. From her son Jeffrey came three grandchildren, Brandon, Justin, and Tori, and two great-grandchildren.

Susie did many things in her life. She took a course at a junior college for machines, and then for IBM in keypunch, tab and sorting cards. She worked for Swift and Company for 9 years. She also was a caterer for 36 years, with tons of recipes saved from over the years. She also loved dancing and started ballroom dancing at fifteen years old where she went on to compete and won several contests until she stopped dancing in 1964. She loved all kinds of sewing – from sofa and chair covers, curtains, clothing and alterations, and loved making traditional regalia as a proud member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.

She lived on her farm in Wisconsin until she moved to the CPN Reservation in Elder Housing in 2009, where she left her mark wit, creativity, and her sassy humor.

Susie is preceded in death by her parents, and her brother Jerry Maisch, sisters Pat Brollier, and Betty Hancock, and many other friends and loved ones.

She is survived by her son, Jeffrey and his wife of Wisconsin; her grandchildren Brandon, Justin and Tori; two great-grandchildren; special niece Isabelle “Izzy” Bonebrake of Shawnee, OK; close friend and caregiver Cathryn Wamego of Shawnee, OK.

Internment service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Sunday, August 25, 2024 at Citizen Potawatomi Nation Columbarium West of the Mission Church with a brunch following at the Cultural Center in the Long Room. Cremation arrangements by Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.