SUSAN ELAINE ZERGER

SUSAN ELAINE ZERGER Susan Elaine Zerger, 84, passed away on April 23, 2024 at Lakepoint Of El Dorado. Susan Elaine Zerger was born on December 8th, 1939 in Inglewood, California to parents Melvin and Lucille Smith. She grew up in Rancho Cucamonga riding horses and singing in the choir in high school. She took her education seriously and graduated high school with honors. From there, she moved to North Newton, Kansas to attend Bethel College for nursing in the fall of 1957. There she met her future husband, Vernon Merle Zerger on a blind date through mutual friendsshe knew by the second date that this was the man she would marry and grow old with. Sue and Vernon waited until she graduated nursing school in August 1961 and were married the next day. They had 4 children together: Steven, Jonathan, Mark, and Julie. They moved to a farm in rural McPherson, KS where she was able to show horses and have a huge garden, while Vernon raised chickens and farmed wheat. Sue was a nurse for 15 years before she left for a job at the NCRA oil refinery, where she worked for 23 years until she retired at age 59. Sue also had a lifelong love of traveling, and was able to have many adventures including Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and RV trips around the United States. In her retirement, she became a Master Gardener and volunteered with the city garden as well as the McPherson Opera House restoration project. Sue and Vernon were together for almost 45 years before Vernon passed away in 2006. Sue leaves behind 9 grandchildren: Amber, Josh, Zack, Ashley, Samuel, Hannah, Megan, Jacob and Landon. She also had 5 great grandchildren. Sue always upheld her values of hard work, family, and love of learning and trying new things. She will be missed by her family and friends.