Susan Conklin

Susan J. Conklin, 75, passed away April 4, 2026, in Wichita, Kansas. Susan was born August 6, 1950, to Don and Joann (Womelsdorf) Daniels in Des Moines, Iowa, the youngest of two children. She graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School in 1968 and from the University of Kansas in 1972, where she met Rick. After graduation, Susan taught special education, inspired by her love for her brother Mike, whom she helped care for from the time she was a little girl. Susan and Rick were married in 1973 in Overland Park, Kansas, and made their home in Wichita.

Susan was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes during her junior year of high school. From that point forward, she required daily insulin to stay alive. Blood sugar checks and insulin adjustments became part of everyday life. Susan took pride in doing everything asked of someone with type 1 diabetes to live as long and fully as possible.

Susan was a stay-at-home mom until her two daughters were both in elementary school, after which she did administrative and bookkeeping work for the family business. Susan was a godly daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother whose love was serving others.

Susan’s volunteer work was a big part of who she was. Together with Rick, she taught children’s Sunday school for several years and served as a leader in the Awana children’s ministry. She spent decades helping organizations such as Hilltop Church, World Impact Clinic, World Impact Thrift Store (now Second Blessings), the American Diabetes Association, and Senior Services of Wichita. While delivering Meals on Wheels, Susan loved getting to know the elderly and homebound. She didn’t just deliver meals; she built relationships with those who needed them most.

Susan was always up for an adventure. Whether flying in small Cessnas with Rick, snow skiing, fly fishing, horseback riding on vacation, or riding roller coasters with her grandsons, she never turned down an opportunity to explore, laugh, or try something new.

Susan is survived by her husband, Rick; her two daughters, Brenda (Todd) Degner and Lisa (Carl) Kaufmann; grandsons Carson and Henry Degner and step-grandson Gregory Kaufmann; and her mother, Joann Daniels. She was preceded in death by her father, Don Daniels, and her brother, Mike Daniels.

A celebration of Susan’s life will be held April 10, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at First Evangelical Free Church (1825 N. Woodlawn, Wichita, KS 67208).

Memorials have been established with:

First Evangelical Free Church - Raising the Future campaign, 1825 N. Woodlawn, Wichita, KS 67208 (include Susan Conklin - Student Ministries “Raising the Future” campaign in the memo)

Senior Services of Wichita Meals on Wheels program, 200 S. Walnut St., Wichita, KS 67213

Breakthrough Type 1 Diabetes, daughter Brenda Degner’s fundraising account