Suzanne Yokum Wiese

Suzanne Yokum Wiese, 57, of Stillwater passed from this life on May 7, 2015. Services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home of Stillwater and a service celebrating her life will be held at 12pm on Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at Countryside Baptist Church in Stillwater.
Suzanne Yokum was born on July 16, 1957 in Tulsa, OK to Gilbert Clifton and Betty Sue (Staats) Yokum. She attended schools in Tulsa where she was a cheerleader, 4H member, and Rodeo Queen. She graduated from Tulsa East Central High School Class of 1975. Following high school, Suzanne enrolled at Oklahoma State where she obtained her B.S. Degree in Speech and Drama in 1979 and a Masters in Education and Curriculum in 1981. While working on her Masters degree Suzanne met the love of her life, Jon Allen Wiese. In May of 1981 they were married and set out on an amazing journey that would lead Suzanne all over the world and also provided her with three wonderful children.
Shortly after graduating from OSU, Jon and Suzanne made the first of what would come to be many relocations following Jons career in the telecommunications and technology industry. The family relocated to Houston, TX and Suzanne began teaching at the middle school in Tomball, TX. After several years they moved to Temple, TX where she continued to pursue her career as an educator. While in Temple, Suzanne was blessed by the birth of her two daughters, Sara and Paige. The family spent a year living in Thousand Oaks, CA where they welcomed the birth of their son, Michael.
Jon accepted a position in Basking Ridge, NJ and Suzanne began a new career she lovingly referred to as wealth manager. After four years in New Jersey, the Wieses returned to Texas and made their home in Plano. In the mid 90s they had an opportunity to spend two years residing in Waterloo, Belgium where Suzanne continued in wealth management and also took on the role of family tour guide. The family returned to Basking Ridge, NJ for 2 years and in 1999 Suzanne returned to her childhood home of Tulsa, OK. In 2005 they briefly moved to Toronto and returned again to Tulsa. In 2008, Jon and Suzanne retired to Stillwater where they happily lived until their passing; Jon in 2013 and Suzanne in 2015.
Suzanne was a woman who enjoyed life and lived each day to the fullest. She was always on the go. In Tulsa, she stayed busy by being involved in the Holland Hall parents organization, a coffee group, and the Tulsa Garden Club. Suzannes faith was the cornerstone of her life and she was an active member of the South Tulsa Baptist Church where she hosted a Bible Study Fellowship group and was involved in Vacation Bible School.
Upon moving to Stillwater, Suzanne wasted no time becoming a vital part of the community. She was on the board of directors at The Saville Center where she became an advocate for abused children. She was also an active member of Countryside Baptist Church. Suzanne was the #1 OSU fan EVER! She was a supporter of both the academic and athletic programs. She was appointed to the Alumni Board of Directors for the College of Education and a member of the Women for OSU Council. She was also an adviser for the A.D. Pi sorority. Jon and Suzanne set up a foundation to assist countless numbers of youth by awarding several four year scholarships to deserving high school students. Suzannes love of sports led the family to hold season tickets for both mens and womens basketball games, as well as baseball and football. She was also a regular volunteer for the Coaches vs. Cancer program. Both Jon and Suzanne were honored by being inducted into the Proud and Immortal Society at OSU.
Family was always Suzannes number one priority. She spent years selflessly taking care of both of her parents. She was a wonderful and supportive mother who was always there when her children needed her. She was a vocal participant in many of their childhood activities and wasnt afraid of being ejected from the occasional high school sporting event if she saw what she deemed as an injustice. She was a protective mother who was always a perfect example of unconditional love. She was a savvy and thrifty business woman who wasnt shy about negotiating a deal. She spent the last decade of her life as a small business owner of her residential and commercial real estate management company. Her love of education also led her to serve as a substitute teacher at Sangre Ridge Elementary.
Suzannes outgoing personality and pleasant demeanor made it easy for her to make friends and she never met a stranger. She had an unstoppable drive and a zest for life that made her fun to be around. Her smile lit up the room and seemed to brighten even the darkest of hours. Suzanne Wiese was a loyal wife, a devoted mother, a caring daughter, a loving sister, and a trusted and dependable friend and her legacy of selflessness and uncompromising goodness will live on through the lives of those she leaves behind. She packed more life and memories into her short 57 years than some could pack into 100 years and she left an unmistakable mark on the world she lived in. She will truly be missed by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her soul mate and best friend Jon Allen Wiese, as well as her two brothers G.W. and Russell Yokum, her grandparents, and her in-laws Harry and Maxine Wiese. She was also preceded in death by her two dogs Goliath and Aspen.
She is survived by her parents Gilbert and Betty Yokum of Olive, OK. Three children: Sara Hedgcoth and husband Barry of Plano, TX, Paige Wiese of Peachtree City, GA, and Michael Wiese of Tulsa, OK. Four siblings: Sherry Lujan and husband Stuart of Elkhart, KS, Jay and Connie Wiese of Tulsa, Paul and Dee Dee Wiese of Livermore, CA, and Carl and Debbie Wiese of Westlake, TX. She was also survived by her dog, Maddie, Stillwater, OK, and grand-dogs Penny, Plano, TX, and J.W., Tulsa, OKas well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.
The family strongly requests that in lieu of flowers donations can be made in Suzannes name to the OSU College of Education or to Countryside Baptist Church in care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home 5106 N. Washington. Stillwater, OK 74075