Susan Alderman

Susan "Sue" Joanne Alderman, 58, loving mom, nana, daughter and sister, passed away on Saturday, February 16, 2019. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Friday, February 22, 2019, at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church in Colfax. Sue will be laid to rest in the Steptoe Cemetery, next to her beloved Mel.

She was born on September 21, 1960, in Spokane, but grew up on the family farm in Oakesdale. As a child, she never stopped moving and was very messy, unlike in her adult years where she could rarely be seen at home without her vacuum! She learned at an early age how to cook hearty meals to feed their hungry harvest crew. She attended school in Oakesdale where she was a cheerleader and participated in Rainbow. She was also Oakesdale's Junior Miss and was able to perform at the state level despite being nearly taken out by a nut allergy at the pageant after eating a chocolate with almond oil.

After graduating from high school, she attended Spokane Community College where she earned a Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) Degree. Shortly after receiving her degree she had her daughter, Emily, with her first husband. Thirteen months later she had her second daughter, Rachel. There was nothing Sue loved more in life than being a mom! She even loved being pregnant and frequently reminded anyone and everyone whether they were pregnant or not! In 1986, after dating for a few short months, she married the love of her life, Mel Alderman. Sue had never been happier, or so she thought, until her third daughter, Amy, was born. Family was everything to Sue, and she took great pride in her kids.

Sue worked part-time as a nurse at Whitman Hospital while raising her family. This allowed her to be home more often than not, so she could be there for her girls. In 1998, her heart was broken when Mel passed away. As a single parent she wore all the hats of two parents, making sure her girls felt loved and supported in every way. As her girls got older, Sue worked full-time as a nurse at Whitman Medical Group where she took great pride in caring for her patients. When she wasn't working as a nurse, she could be found in the stands watching her girls cheerlead or chasing her pug, Sasha, around town!

Sue could not wait to be a grandma! She was thrilled when her grandchildren finally came along. She took every opportunity to be with her kids and grandkids. She was an amazing mom and nana.

Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Mel ,; her father-in-law, Bob; and her pug, Sasha. Sue is survived by her parents, Sally Schrenk and Lonny (E. Louise) Ellis; and mother-in-law, Wanda Alderman; siblings, Chris (Kari) Ellis, Cindy (Doug) Curtis, Jeff (Kristi) Robinson, Dean (Connie) Ellis and Jaci (Rick) Englert; and numerous nephews and nieces; her kids, Emily (Kelly) Jones, Rachel (Ron) Icayan, and Amy (Tyler) Young; her grandchildren, Led, Katy, Alivia and Mackenzie.

The family suggests memorial gifts in Sue's memory be made to either the Whitman Hospital Foundation or the Whitman Hospital Auxiliary. On-line condolences can be made at http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com. Bruning Funeral Home is caring for the family.