Dayton Chronicle - Your Hometown News Source

Susan Ann Dunlap

July 4, 1942–November 21, 2023

Susan 'Susie' Ann Dunlap, Dayton resident, passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, after a brief stay in the Trios Hospital in Kennewick. She was 81.

Susan was born on the Fourth of July, 1942, in Traill County, North Dakota, to Loren and Lucille Rice Larson. She lived near Maddock, North Dakota, with her family until moving to the Seattle area when she was a young girl.

She graduated from Lincoln High School in Seattle. Susan was a baton twirler and spent quite a bit of time babysitting for families in her community. Following high school, she worked for a time at the Fredrick & Nelson department store.

Susan met the love of her life, Duane Dunlap, on a blind date that had been set up by his brother and sister-in-law. It was a brief meeting as Duane was on his way to basic training in the Army. Not to be discouraged, Duane phoned Susan from Fort Ord, Calif., and proposed to her over the phone. She accepted and moved with him to Williamsburg, Va., where he was going to be stationed. Times were not always easy for them, but with their resilience, hard work and determination ,everything worked out as their 62 years of marriage can attest.

Following Duane's discharge from the Army, they moved to Seattle and lived for a couple of years near her family. They moved to Dayton, Wash., where Duane was from, and have been in this community for the last 55 years. She was a daycare operator and cared for many children over the years; many of them building lasting friendships. She was well known for her tea parties by the children she babysat and as well as her girlfriends. Susan was very artistic and talented. She enjoyed painting, sewing and was an avid reader. She loved to decorate their home and had a keen eye for it. She also loved flowers and always made sure her flower beds, pots and garden looked like an English garden. Shopping was also one of her favorite things to do. Susan was a member of the Skyline Juniors Club for over 50 years and was President from 2005-2007. She was also a den mother for Cub Scouts when her kids were younger.

Susie was preceded in death by her parents and by a niece, Kaisa Larson.

-Submitted photo

Susan Ann Dunlap

She is survived by her husband Duane; three children, Heidi Robinson of Spokane, Wash., Christopher Dunlap of Mililani, Oahu, Hi., and Ian (Holly) Dunlap of Chandler, Ariz .; by three grandchildren of whom she adored and was so proud: Austin Robinson, Garrett and Alyssa Dunlap; and by her siblings, Roger Larson, Dean Larson, and Nancy Devlin all living in the Seattle area; and by numerous nieces and nephews.

Please raise your tea or coffee cup up in honor of Susie as we are sure she will be hosting many tea parties in heaven and would love for you to join her!

A Celebration of Life service will be planned in the Spring, 2024. The family suggests memorial gifts in her memory be to the Skyline Juniors Club or to "The Club" for youth in Dayton.

An on-line guest book is available at http://www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com.

Corbeill Funeral Home in Dayton is caring for the family.