Mary "Susie" Sue Stinson

Mary Sue "Susie" Stinson, 89, passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, in Overland Park, Kansas.

Susie, or “Nanny” as affectionately called by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was born April 10, 1936, in Salina, Kansas, to Dr. Claude Stanley Flora and Dr. Rochelle Evelyn (Smith) Flora. Susie was the youngest of three girls and both her mom and dad were chiropractors in Salina for many years. Susie had a unique childhood as when she was very young her mother contracted tuberculosis, which required her to live in a sanitorium in Oak Park, Illinois, for an extended period (the common medical practice at that time). Susie’s father was a big sports fan, so with her mother’s absence and later limitations, Susie fondly remembered attending numerous sporting events with her dad, including the Salina semi-pro baseball team games and high school football and basketball games. These early years resulted in her becoming a huge sports fan, which was a blessing to her future husband Bob and her three sons.

Following her graduation from Salina High School (now Salina Central) Susie attended the University of Kansas, where she proudly became a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. At KU she met Bob, and after her sophomore year they were married on August 18, 1956, in her parents’ home in Salina. Shortly thereafter, Bob became an officer in the Navy and for nearly three years they lived in Honolulu, Hawaii, stationed at Pearl Harbor. Susie had fond memories of those Navy days when they made some lifelong friends.

Susie spent most of her years in her hometown, as after Hawaii they settled in Salina where they raised their family. Susie was very active in the community, serving in various volunteer capacities and working for the Salina Bicentennial Commission. She also spent about a decade working for State Farm Insurance agent Fred Rothe in downtown Salina. One of her greatest attributes was making friends. She had a warm presence and a great sense of humor, much loved by her friends and family. For most of her adult life she maintained the bond of friendship with many from her high school class, from KU, from the Salina community, including the First Presbyterian Church and the Salina Country Club, and later from Torch Lake in Michigan.

Susie was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 68 years Bob, and her sisters Barbara Buehler and Ivy Marsh. She is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law, Mike (Cari), Matt (Stephanie) and Tom (Tia), her 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Her memorial service will be held Monday, December 29, at 1:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 308 South 8th St., Salina, Kansas. A reception will follow at the Salina Country Club. She is interred in Salina at the Roselawn Memorial Park Mausoleum, where her parents also are located.