Susan Barker

ARENA/MIDDLETON-Susan Barker, age 65, of Arena, passed away on March 26, 2018, at UW Rehabilitation Clinic while recovering from a recent stroke.  She was born on April 2, 1952, in Madison, the daughter of Roy and Inez Kruger.  She married Jeff Barker on July 16, 1988, in Middleton where they lived until they moved to Arena in 2001.  Susan had two wonderful kids she loved with all her heart, Christopher (fiancé, Judy) and Lisa (Justin) Rupe.  She also loved her other “kids”, Jackson, Gracie and Opie her loving dogs.  She bought McDonald’s hamburgers for them every day.  But she loved and missed her original three amigos who passed away before her, D'lo, Emmy and Pooh Bear.  Sue worked for a number of years as a caregiver for various assisted living facilities, but found her true passion working as the deli manager for PDQ on Parmenter and University Avenue in Middleton for the past 18 years.  She loved her customers and co-workers, and built lasting friendships with them by asking and caring about what was going on in their lives.  Especially one special friend and manager, Joanna Adler.  One of Sue’s favorite things to do was playing Bingo at various places, but usually at Eagles with her mom, Marlene and other friends.  She also enjoyed going to the casino and playing what she called ‘ching ching’.  Sue truly loved going for rides with her dogs, thrift shopping and going to garage sales.  But she mostly cherished gatherings with family and playing Rummy.  Sue was a stubborn, strong-willed women with more than nine lives, who battled until the end.  She will be missed dearly.   Sue is survived by her husband, Jeff; son, Christopher (fiancé, Judy); daughter, Lisa (Justin) Rupe; mother, Inez Kruger; brothers, Tom (Jynon) Kruger, Craig (Jane) Kruger and Jack Kruger; sister, Jill (Ben) Olson; and numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her father, Roy; brother, Gary Kruger; father and mother-in-law, Winston and Betty Barker; and her original dogs, D'lo, Emmy and Pooh Bear.  Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 4, 2018.  Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, and again on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.  At Sue's request, please dress casual and be comfortable.  Memorials may be made to the family for a memorial to be established.  The family would like to thank Dr. Barbara Stowe-Carpenter for 30 years of care for Sue and our family, everyone at Junction Road and numerous doctors and nurses who brought her back to us for one more year.  Also thank you to the staff of Wisconsin Dialysis, Fitchburg Clinic, especially patients, Jim and Al for a good three years of friendship.  Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Dr. (608) 221-5420