SUSAN K. AKIN

Susan K. Akin, 71, Overland Park, Kan., died peacefully in her sleep on September 28, 2013, and went to eternal peace and comfort after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf, Overland Park, with burial at Little Norway Lutheran Church, Black River Falls, Wis., at a later date. Susan was born Aug. 23, 1942, at Black River Falls to Verna and Jerry Hoonsbeen, who preceded her in death. She is survived by husband, Paul of 48 years; daughters, Kristy (Rich) Melton, Gardner, Kan., and Janell (Roger) Gibbs, Jenks, Okla.; son, Craig Akin (fiancee Abbie Gardner), Jersey City, NJ; grandchildren, Trey and Ty Gibbs, Kaylynn and Kylee Melton, and step-grandson, Braden Gibbs; sister and brothers and their spouses, Jan (Bill) Friedrich, Minnetonka, Minn., Gary (Nancy) Hoonsbeen, Golden Valley, Minn., and David (Margret) Hoonsbeen, Fullerton, Calif., aunts, Beverly Bahnub, Ettrick, Wis., and Bernice Gilbertson, St. Louis; nieces, nephews, and many, many cousins of the Hoonsbeen and Gilbertson families. Susan graduated from the Univ. of Wisconsin-La Crosse and began a teaching career, first instrumental music in schools and culminating in 40 years as piano teacher in Tulsa, Okla., Chanhassen, Minn., and Overland Park. She has memberships in and was active in Mu Phi Epsilon music fraternity, Kansas City Music Teachers Assoc., and National Federated Music Teachers, and was a national certified teacher of music. She is a member of PEO Missouri Chapter IR and Atonement Lutheran Church. She was a talented and accomplished musician in violin, piano, and other instruments, and will be missed by the music communities, friends and former students in Tulsa and the Kansas City area. She enjoyed listening to music of all kinds, especially classical, and regularly attended performances of orchestras, ensembles, and recitals. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in her name to the attention of the Music Fund at Atonement Lutheran Church, and scholarship funds of Mu Phi Epsilon and KCMTA. The family would like to express appreciation for the loving care and comfort Susan received from St. Luke's Hospice, Kansas City and Comfort Keepers. Fond memories and condolences of Susan may be left for the family at caringbridge.org. Cremation Center of Kansas City, 913-384-5566, CremationCenterKC.com