Susan Adler
December 30, 1951 ~ June 13, 2020
The most beautiful, kind and amazing mother, spouse, sister and friend was called home on June 13, 2020. It was too early; the rest of us wanted to keep playing.
Susan Adler was born on December 30, 1951, in Tipton, Indiana, the daughter of Howard and Lucy McIntire Adler.
Susan graduated from Sharpsville Prairie High School and then put herself through Purdue University where she played in the band and earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Industrial Relations.
Following graduate school, she took a job with Cummins Engine Company and moved to Columbus where she would eventually marry Grant Tucker.
Susan left Cummins and took a job at Indiana University Purdue University-Columbus as an Academic and Financial Aid advisor for the Nursing School.
Susan took a sabbatical from work to nurture and enrich the lives of her children, Ben and Lauren; reading to them, doing crafts and allowing them to explore the world on their many road trips and excursions.
Although before deciding to have children, Susan said that she never considered herself to be the “motherly type,” Ben and Lauren could not possibly have had a better mother.
Susan returned to IUPUC once she had Ben and Lauren well on their way and finished her professional career there.
Born into a farming family that was in the hybrid seed business, Susan said recently that she always considered herself a “person of the ground.” She was a skilled and avid gardener, growing prize-winning vegetables, flowers and herbs.
Susan was a long-time member of the Mudlarks Garden Club and held various offices, including President, several times. She cherished the friendships she made with her fellow Mudlarks and enjoyed maintaining the County Courthouse flower beds as well as helping to organize and entering arrangements in the flower shows that the Mudlarks held.
Susan went on to be on committees and held offices in the Garden Club of Indiana, including contributing to their newsletter. She looked forward each summer to “Mudlarks Monday” at the 4-H Fair, always winning ribbons for her arrangements and herb entries. Susan was a member of Monday Club and other social and philanthropic organizations, including having been appointed by the County Commissioners to serve on the Bartholomew County Library Board.
Susan was a voracious reader of all things, although she especially enjoyed murder mysteries.
She joined a monthly book club and enjoyed the friendships that she continued and formed there.
She also was a trivia enthusiast, enjoying Jeopardy every night and weekly trivia contests with her friends. You wanted to have Susan on your team.
A Celebration of Life will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 20, 2020, at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home, Columbus, Indiana, with Celebrant Tracey Carter officiating. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery in Columbus.
Memorial donations can be made to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana.
Susan is survived by her husband, Grant Tucker; son, Benjamin (Jessica) Tucker and daughter, Lauren Tucker; sister, Kathryn (Dwain) Graham; brothers, John (Jan) Adler and James (Marsha) Adler; father-in-law, Randall Tucker; brothers-in-law, Roger (Janet) Tucker and Richard (Mary) Tucker; and several nieces and nephews.
Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Lucy Adler; and her mother-in-law, Evelyn Tucker.
Our piece of the world is a better place as a result of the time that Susan spent in it. Let’s honor her memory by using what we’ve learned from her to leave things better than we found them.
We invite everyone to visit the Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home website, www.jewellrittman.com, to view the video tribute, express your condolences and share memories with the family.
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Beautiful Whisper was purchased for the family of Susan Adler.
I worked with Susan to bring the RN to BSN Program to IUPUC and she was such a joy to work with. She was so committed to student success and advancement.
Condolences to everyone in Susan’s family.
Susan and I knew each other from birth back in Prairie Township. Our families went to church together at Prairieville although oddly enough, I don’t think we are actually related (almost a miracle in Tipton County when you’re dealing with old line family names like McIntire and West-note that my father Dillon Traxler was a foreigner from Ohio who married MaconDale West). We started first grade together and for years rode the same school bus. Being the charming person that she was, Susan eventually got to ride to school with a friend who drove (which was unusual then), and Janelle Alderson (now Gray) were left on the bus with our siblings without her. We all also went though band together, but interestingly enough, Susan skipped the 4-H experience that was a huge part of growing up for many in Prairie Township and Tipton County.
She was very much the charmed child of our class throughout school: friendly, social, talented, you name it. Like several other, when she went to Purdue, because I went elsewhere, we sort of lost track, although Janelle and I stayed more in touch because of our mothers being in the same Home Economics Club. But since my family also did farm business with Adler’s Seeds, I would always get caught up on the assorted Adler family members, including Susan. I think she and I had the distinction of being about the last girls in the class of 1970 to get married….but I know that she had a much more rich social life than I ever did. I was the classic “Old Maid School Teacher” until I married the “Boy Next Door” in 1980. We still are. I also remember writing her when she became a mom to congratulate her because by then I was also a mom of children that I never really quite expected to have (who are now amazing adult men).
I know you will miss her forever, but remember that she had a wonderful life with you all and left bright blessings in her wake.
Sincerely,
Wyndham Traxler Carter
now from Flora, Indiana
There are no words I could write that could describe how amazing of a person Susan was. Her blend of kindness, wit, intelligence, humor, and warmth will never be matched. I have spent a major part of the last five years of my life seeing Susan and friends weekly for trivia, family events, and other get togethers. It has been the best years of my life. Sitting around talking and laughing with Susan made all of life’s problems fade away. I loved discussing current events, trivia facts, books, and life with Susan. She never stopped amazing me with how much she knew about almost anything. Susan had all sorts of talents, but she always told me her greatest achievement was being a mother to Ben and Lauren. She was so proud of what kind of people they became in life. She loved talking about them the most. People in this world look up to athletes, movie stars, and other celebrity types, but I will always look up to Susan. She is my role model and my dearest friend. My heart will always have a hole in it now, but I am so thankful I took a chance years ago to play trivia with strangers, and was able to meet a woman as wonderful as Susan.
Chad VanMeter purchased the Serenity Wreath for the family of Susan Adler.
Lit a candle in memory of Susan Adler
I can’t imagine how difficult this is. She was lovely inside and out. I hope you know how much we care about you Grant. She didn’t deserve this last chapter of her life. I am grateful I knew her. Sending you and your beautiful family love, prayers and the biggest hugs.
Country Basket Blooms was purchased for the family of Susan Adler.
Susan and I were best friends all through school 1-12. Then we both went to Purdue. In school we played in a piano quartet. Susan was in my wedding. Susan will be missed she was always so smart and kind. She had lots of friends and treated everyone so nice. We went to camp together and had lots of fun. I am so happy that she had a wonderful husband and family. She will be missed. A life taken too early.
Lit a candle in memory of Susan Adler
I met Sue when she worked at Cummins and we became good friends. She was funny and witty and we used to have some great conversations. I am sure she will be missed by everyone. Too young to go so soon. Tom Lane Columbus
I met Susan when Lauren was a student at Parkside Elementary. I had the privilege of being Lauren’s Girl Scout leader. Susan was a very involved parent(Grant too) and I adored Lauren. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Lauren Kayla has a special message for you. She said you were one of the few “popular” kids to stand up for her when she was being bullied in school. She said you always spoke to her. I will always remember Susan’s smile. She was one of the first parents to offer help and I knew I could call her anytime.
My sympathy to cousin Susan’s family. So very sorry for your loss. Also so very sorry I never met her because she sounds like a wonderful person. We would have loved to have her at our reunions. Recently discovered that when at Cummins she knew my friend Joe Andrew and that he had a video of her driving a boat! Video has been shared with her brother John.
Ginny
John & Jan Adler, Heidi, Tracy, Jeff and families purchased the Emerald Garden Basket for the family of Susan Adler.
Susan was one of the kindest souls I have ever met. She was so easy to talk to and quickly became a very dear friend. I will always remember the numerous trips we made with the girls to cheer and DI competitions. I remember one cheer trip to Columbus, Ohio that we almost ended up in Dayton, Ohio because we were so busy chatting in the car, we weren’t paying attention to the road. But Susan just laughed and thought it was funny. She had the best sense of humor. Lauren, you have your mom’s kind heart which you will carry with you forever. She will be dearly missed.
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My heart goes out to Lauren and her family. Words can’t describe how my heart is breaking for you. Prayers for comfort and peace.
What a joy it was to work with Susan during both of her stints at IUPUC. Behind that always pleasant, polite smile lurked a wicked sense of humor. She was a great cook as evidenced when she won the annual chili cook off with her white chili – a recipe I still have.I regret that our paths failed to cross after Susan left work. Prayers for Grant, Lauren and Ben whom she loved so much.
I have had the privilege of getting to know Susan very well since becoming best friends with her daughter Lauren in first grade. She loved her family fiercely, gave the best advice, and was a force of positivity in this crazy world. Our hearts go out to the entire family- we love you so much. She was one of the good ones, and she will be missed like no other.
I met Susan when I had Lauren as a student at Parkside Elementary. She was always so supportive and kind. My heartfelt sympathy goes to the family that she loved so much. Hugs to you, Lauren…. May your Mom’s beautiful memory bring you peace in this difficult time. ❤️
Corbin Brooks and Family purchased the Arrive in Style for the family of Susan Adler.
Country Basket Blooms was purchased for the family of Susan Adler.
Susan and I went 1-12 together. We went to church together at Prairieville Church, took piano lessons together, and socialized a little throughout our high school days. If you have ever heard of Susan playing in a quartet when she was young, I was one of that group. Susan was always a kind friend to me. The last time I saw her was at her fathers funeral. I wish we would have stayed in touch throughout our adult lives. I could go on and on but it would not take away the pain of losing a loved one. All of you take care and I know Susan was a special person.
Sincerely ,
Greg Landrum
Susan was delightful, smart, fun & caring. My sympathy to the family she so loved. Susan will be deeply missed by our “ Little Bookclub”. We were heartbroken when she became ill. We all are glad to be able to call her friend
Tom and I met Susan through Wendy Franklin and Katherine Rawlings. We played Card games with her a few times at Wendy’s home. She was so fun to be around and we enjoyed every time there with her. Our deepest condolences. Prayers and lots of hugs to the family.
Tom and Pam Nelson
I send my heart felt condolences to your family. I met Susan at Purdue, when we both worked for Sears. She was one of the kindest, loving, smartest, and charming persons I have met. Not to mention her contagious smile and beauty. Thank you for sharing all of the pictures and memories of her. I’m at a loss for words, but may those fond memories comfort all who were touched by her beautiful soul. Peace.