Susie Franklin

1950 - 2025

Susie Parker Franklin, of Emporia, entered into rest, Thursday, October 2, 2025, at Newman Regional Health. She was 75.
 
Born on May 28, 1950, in Anchorage, in what was then the Territory of Alaska, to Royle Loaine and Betty Lenore (Peterson) Parker, Susie was the last of the "4 Royle Parkers".  She worked many years as a librarian in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District where her love of books and gentle guidance touched many lives. Susie's quick wit and humor were her trademark.  She loved watching her grandkids perform–and she loved feeding people.  She was famous for her cream puffs, catering many weddings for friends and family. She enjoyed traveling to East Asian countries and even spent a summer in Micronesia training librarians. After retirement, she moved to Buffalo, New York to be with her family and ultimately to Emporia in 2012 where she lived in the Holiday Resort Cottages.  She later moved into Holiday Resort Nursing Facility where she was known for handing out book recommendations, warm blankets and socks.  She loved her games, succulents and Wild Cherry Pepsi and all of the wonderful caretakers she had there.
 
Susie was preceded in death by her parents, Royle Parker SR and Mickey Petroulias; and her brother, Royle Parker, JR. She is survived by her daughter, Alaska (Matthew) Turner of Emporia, KS; 5 grandchildren, Roxanne Rose, Orion, Arabella, Madison Swan, and Emma-Clair; sister-in-law Marie Parker; niece and nephews, Kenny Hanson, Christmas Uberuaga (Tony) son Kepa and daughter Zuri, and Royle Parker (Heather) and daughter, Ivy. She was a devoted mother and aunt, a proud grandmother, and a loving friend to all who knew her. Though she had only one daughter and five grandchildren, she was "Grandma Susie" to countless others throughout her life including her bonus daughters Florence (Sudhir (Bill)) Behl, Jessica, Natalie (Codee) and Flynn and Samantha; Karen Beebe (Brian), Baileigh Campbell (Kayden), Karsten, Brody, Kooper, Breegan. She also loved her succulents and her loving pet, Sam the Dachshund. Her kindness, patience, and laughter will be dearly missed by all who were lucky enough to know her.
 
The Celebration of Life will be held on October 18 at 4:30 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Emporia, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to your public library.