Susan Kay “Susie” Ocken

Susan Kay “Susie” Ocken, age 63, of Elwood, Nebraska passed away on Friday, July 15, 2016 at her home. She was born on June 5, 1953 at Stromsburg, Nebraska to Floyd and Elaine (Coufal) Tonniges. Susie was baptized and confirmed at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Gresham, Nebraska. She graduated from Gresham High School in 1971 and was a 1974 graduate of Lincoln General Hospital School of Nursing. During her lifetime career as a Registered Nurse, she worked as a surgical nurse, Director of Nursing, OB/GYN clinic nurse, Home Health nurse and administrative jobs in geriatrics. Susie married Dennis Ocken on July 3, 2003 at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Lexington, Nebraska. She served as a Sunday School Teacher, Stephen Minister, and Hand Bell Choir member. She as a Missy League Softball Coach and a York High School After Prom committee member. Her greatest joys came from serving the Lord, being with her family, friends, being a baseball/softball fan, her pets, and enjoying God’s beauty of the outdoors. She is preceded in death by her father, father and mother in law Lester and Ruth Ocken, Step Daughter Christa Ocken, and brother Dr. Tom Tonniges. She is survived by her loving husband and best friend Dennis Ocken of Elwood, Nebraska, mother Elaine Tonniges of York, Nebraska, daughter Amy (Gruber) Dunn and husband Wade and their two children Payton and Colt of Dodge City, Kansas, Son Nick Pieper and wife Kristy and their two sons Carson and Owen of York, Nebraska, Son Jeff Pieper and wife Kelsey and their two children Odelia and Oliver of York, Nebraska, Brother Terry and wife Sherry Tonniges of Gresham, Nebraska, Sister-In-Law Jane Tonniges of Omaha, Nebraska, Step Children Britney (Ocken) and husband USAF Captain Jeff Faulkinburg and their two sons Dillon and Brendan of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Travis Ocken and wife Casey and son Caden of Omaha, Nebraska, Trevor Ocken and wife Tina and son Carter of Sidney, Iowa, Josi (Ocken) and husband Justin Taylor and their expecting son of Omaha, Nebraska. Sister-In-Law Janice (Ocken) Schulz and husband Darold of Seward, Nebraska, Sister-In-Law Janet (Ocken) Plautz and husband Allen of Seward, Nebraska, sister-In-Law Connie (Ocken) Hackbart and husband Terry of Seward, Nebraska, Sister-In-Law Frankie (Ocken) Phillips and husband Bob of Rotan, Texas. As well as numerous nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. Susie wishes were to be cremated so there will be no viewing or visitation. Memorial services will be Friday, July 22, 2016 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elwood, Nebraska with Revs. Michael Wolff and Kenton Birtrell, officiating. Private family inurnment will be at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church of Elwood, Elwood Care Center, and St. Jude’s Children’s Cancer Fund. Elwood Funeral Home, of Elwood, Nebraska is in charge of the arrangements.