Gwendolyn Sue Wicker

Gwendolyn Sue Wicker

Gwendolyn “Sue” “Penny” Wicker died on August 28, 2023 at age 79.  She was born to Alta and R. Darrell Wicker in Indiana. Sue loved all Creation: ants, stars, rocks, trees, and ALL creatures great and small.  The creatures loved and responded to her so that some called Sue “the female St. Francis.”  Her dear animal friends included a horse, a goat, many dogs and cats. 

Sue was a natural athlete, and while in high school was on the baseball, tennis, and swimming teams.  After she graduated from high school, Sue pursued training as a Practical Nurse and later as a Registered Nurse.  She volunteered as a bush nurse in Nome, Alaska where she learned to suture, x-ray, and deliver babies.  When she left Alaska, she joined the Association of Contemplative Women.  There she made some of her deepest friendships, especially with Rev. Sister Diane Stier and Sister Linda-Susan Beard.

Sue was a skilled RN and first responder; she was a welcome professional in the emergency room.  Aside from her professional skills, her many talents included writing stories, poems, and prayers.  She wrote the story of her service as a bush nurse in Nome, Alaska. 

As a practice of her faith, Sue studied the Bible, composed many prayers, attended worship regularly, and created her own 150 Psalms. She also painted, drew and carved paper, wood, and stone.  She cut and split firewood by hand to heat her home on Black Lake.  Sue made repairs, built doors and furniture, and maintained all manner of equipment.  She enjoyed walking in the woods around her home accompanied by her cats.  Sue created jewelry, rosaries and wood crafts which many friends received as gifts.  She was happiest creating something and her great joy was sharing a rosary.

Sue’s faith in her Heavenly Father, Jesus, Mother Mary, the saints and angels was central in her life.  Her faith guided the choices she made and the work she did.

The cabin window was Sue’s favorite vantage, and she enjoyed the parade of wildlife.  Her home in the woods allowed her to observe deer, squirrels, chipmunks, birds, butterflies, raccoons and an occasional bobcat or bear.  Sue valued all Creation and felt obligated to protect animals and plants alike.  One of her frequent prayers as she traveled the Northwoods was, “Father, please don’t let anything happen to these trees before I die.”

Sue is preceded in death by her mother, father, and sister, Patricia Wicker-Van Duyn.  She is survived by her beloved nephews and their families, Brian (Gretchen) Moore and Jeff (Shelly) Moore.  Sue is also survived by her life-long friend, Barbara Scott.  Loving caregivers, Mary Moxon, Rita Erspamer, Gail Orgas, and Donna Saarnio enabled Sue to live in her cabin home for as long as possible.  Kind neighbors Tom Webb and Marrianne Klink allowed Barbara to be with Sue as her illness progressed. 

Blessings abound for you our dearest friend.  In the Gospel, Jesus amplified the value of friendship by saying to His apostles, “I call you Friends.”

Services for G. Sue Wicker will be held at Saint Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Mercer, Wisconsin on Saturday, September 23, 2023.  Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. with a funeral mass at 11:00 a.m.  Luncheon will follow.